Fashion designer Akira Isogawa is renowned not just in Australia but internationally. His collections have been shown in Paris, his outfits have been exhibited in Australian museums, and he has worked as a costume designer for Sydney Dance Company and The Australian Ballet.

Like his portrait subject, artist and tattooist Yoshio Honjo was born in Japan. The three-time Archibald Prize finalist met the designer at the opening of the 2022 Archibald exhibition, and they have since become friends.

‘To come to Australia on his own at 21 and work so hard towards success is extremely brave. He has such a great personality and is very funny, which I have tried to capture,’ says Honjo. ‘This year, Akira turns 60 and it’s the year of the kinoe-tatsu (wood dragon). I have included that dragon in the portrait to reflect Akira’s strength and resilience.’

Honjo has referenced the woodblock printing aesthetic from Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), from which he regularly draws inspiration.