Simon Fujiwara Who is the Great Wave? (Mass Panic), 2024

This work is part of Simon Fujiwara’s larger project, featuring his original cartoon character Who the Bær as they explore different iconic artworks throughout art history. In this work, Who is immersed in a world inspired by The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).

The work is executed by a combination of colored paper collage and charcoal on canvas. Who in their search of identity, is transformed into multiple roles. On the left of the work Who is depicted as a giant wave personified with claw-like billows and with their oversized tongue sticking out towards two fishing skiffs. There are four human-like figures on one fishing skiff, another three on the second one, as well as one that seems to have fallen from the skiff and is struggling to save themselves. All the humanoid figures are portrayed in the form of Who. In addition, in the center of the composition, Who takes the form of Mount Fuji, passively observing the scene unraveling between the rest of the characters.

The helter-skelter complexity of the scene could be seen as an analogy to the journey that Who goes through to find their identity. By taking so many different human and non-human forms in this large-scale work, the torturous need to find themselves is exaggerated and viewers keenly feel the sense of agony and endless journey.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa is probably one of the most reproduced images and one of the best-known Japanese artworks. Created by Katsushika Hokusai, it dates back to 1830-32, in a period known as the Edo period (1615-1868). A pioneering printmaker, Hokusai introduced new techniques of color printing and is best-known for his woodblock works, especially his series 36 Views of Mount Fuji, which includes the Great Wave off Kanagawa.