︎

Joseph (Joey) is a Japanese-American graphic designer. He is currently working at Umbrella. His work has been featured in publications such as i-D Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and Hypebeast.

Joey is a Japanese-American graphic designer based in Los Angeles. He is currently working at Umbrella.
︎  ︎  ︎ 

Land of Equanimity

Zine

2020


Land of Equanimity is a 24-page photo zine taken in my hometown of Ohasama, Japan. In a period when the world was in lockdown, making this zine was a way for me to travel back home and be with my family.

Hand bound using traditional Japanese techniques. Edition of 20.

Photography: Joseph Abe
Graphic Design: Joseph Abe
Binding: Joseph Abe

The daily routine of most adults is so heavy and artificial that we are closed off to much of the world. We have to do this in order to get our work done. I think one purpose of art is to get us out of those routines. When we hear music or poetry or stories, the world opens up again. We’re drawn in — or out — and the windows of our perception are cleansed, as William Blake said. The same thing can happen when we’re around young children or adults who have unlearned those habits of shutting the world out.