“When Gods Collide” was originally commissioned by H-streetskateboards as a skateboard design for their Japanese rider Yuro Nagahara. Click on image to see it in its entirety. I accepted the assignment because I knew it would be a wonderful opportunity to create an image that would not only be great for a skateboard deck but also as a personal piece for myself. I was excited about working on this because growing up, I lived in Japan for a few years and the Japanese sense of art, design and the culture has always made a big impression in my life and art. The folklore imagery from that country has always captured my imagination especially their Tengu and dragons. The tengu were originally pictured with beaks taking the forms of birds of prey, depicted with both human and avian characteristics. But this feature has often been humanized as an unnaturally long nose, which has become today the tengu's defining characteristic in the popular imagination.

Japanese dragons, like most East Asian dragons, are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water. Their fearsome appearance are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet. Taking the characteristics of both legendary creatures into account, I thought it would be a great composition to have a divine massive clash between gods of air and sea. In keeping with the folklore vibe, I incorporated a symbol of classic Japanese art into the composition by including into the piece an interpretation of “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa”, by the classic Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika 1760 – 1849.

(NOTE: Copyright watermark seen in photo of print is NOT in actual print. Only for web preview.)

“When Gods Collide” is a signed, titled, open edition, museum quality, archival, print. It's an unframed, unmatted, professionally printed, Cold Press Epson, acid free, 100% cotton rag, archival paper using Epson UltraChrome K3 archival inks. With a white border for framing purposes.

This print is carefully packaged and rolled up in a tube for maximum safety to make sure it arrives safely to its new home. It will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail insured and tracked.

Artwork ©2020 Fian Arroyo