Peter Goes about the Pineapple Chili design
Yugen collaborates with local illustrators to capture and visualize the Yugen essence. Their creations conceptualize how they interpret the ancient Japanese concept. We sat down to chat with Peter Goes, the illustrator behind our Pineapple Chili design.
WHO IS PETER GOES?
Peter Goes is a Belgian freelance illustrator and picture book maker. He studied animation at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK) in Ghent, Belgium.
Peter Goes studied film animation and then entered the theatre world. In his seventeen years as a stage manager and technical director he hardly touched a pencil but did start drawing again in 1999. He now works as a freelance illustrator. His critically acclaimed picture books have been translated into 25 languages and sold worldwide. Next to his books, Peter Goes does commissioned work, from logo design to editorial illustration work.
WHICH ARTISTS AND SUBCULTURES HAVE INFLUENCED HIS DRAWING STYLE?
As a child, Peter was shaped by European comics, later expanding into graphic novels. His influences range from Marc Sleen to Lorenzo Mattotti, Franquin to Charles Burns, and many more.
An avid collector, he surrounds himself with the work of other artists—both inspiring and humbling. From rock art to abstract pieces, he draws daily inspiration from nature, art, and the people around him.
WHICH ATMOSPHERE AND EMOTIONS CHARACTERIZE HIS DRAWINGS?
Peter unwinds by losing himself in illustration, where his meticulous eye for detail reveals something new every time. He aims to captivate viewers—and surprise himself along the way.
“I always start at the foot of a huge mountain of work… the result often differs from what I imagined, but that’s what makes it exciting.”
His work invites exploration—each viewer experiencing its atmosphere and emotion in their own way.
WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE DESIGN?
His work always contains different layers and a play between positive and negative space. Thanks to the many details viewers can keep discovering new things in Goes' remarkable fantasy world.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
Peter is currently working on his next picture book and we can't wait for its release.
https://petergoes.com/
You can find the stories behind the other designs here.
