Pyuupiru 2001-2008

A beautiful and enchanting female face is given make-up. It’s the Japanese artist Pyuupiru: neither man nor woman - and both at once.
From 2001, when eccentric Japanese visited clubs in absurdist costumes, Pyuupiru was followed by friend and filmmaker Matsunaga. Pyuupiru’s handmade creations, that he/she sketches intuitively yet acurately, are becoming known in art circles. People are impressed by Pyuupiru’s manga-like pink giants and beautiful but confrontational self-portraits about identity. Yet behind this talented (wo)man is a sometimes deeply unhappy soul. Pyuupiru’s hormone therapy and a major sex-change operation are responsible for an emotional rollercoaster, and the quest for love is difficult.

Matsunaga followed his friend Pyuupiru for eight years. Beautiful shots of theatrical creations are juxtaposed with intimate, emotional moments. For instance, when Pyuupiru’s heart is broken. And when he/she realises he/she is being taken seriously as an artist. Matsunaga lovingly follows the transformation of an artist and a person.