Yoshio Honjo Adam with bream

Yoshio Honjo’s subject is celebrity chef, TV presenter, author and winner of 2010 MasterChef Australia Adam Liaw. Honjo says: ‘The episode of Adam’s win was the most watched (non-sport) television event in Australian history. However, it was after MasterChef that I learnt of his passion for Japanese food, culture and history, something we both share a love for. I appreciate that Adam has shone a light on Japanese food in Australia.’

Honjo has painted Adam as Ebisu, one of Japanese mythology’s Seven Lucky Gods. ‘Ebisu is the god of prosperity, plenitude and abundance of crops and food. He is the patron of fishermen and is often pictured with a large fish. The figure of Ebisu is often seen in Japanese restaurants and household kitchens. I’ve painted Adam with a bream.

‘Adam was enthusiastic about me using handmade Japanese washi paper and mud ink originating from the Japanese countryside. Using traditional materials reflects our shared enthusiasm for the Japanese artisan.’

Honjo was born in Shiga, Japan in 1979 and moved to Australia in 2005. A self-taught artist, he is also a professional tattooist. This is his first time in the Archibald Prize.