Rock art is one of the oldest records of human expression, revealing itself as one of the most primitive forms of visual communication. Characterized by pictorial representations or engravings carved directly onto rock surfaces, this form of art dates back to the Paleolithic period, with estimates placing its origins around 40,000 years ago.
Sutimo is an alternative streetwear brand built on a fully sustainable business model, using hemp fabric and eco-friendly packaging. The brand carries various concepts of naturalness within its DNA — from the Sheep and the Wolf, representing life and death, to the symbols of the sun and the flower, which embody the cycle of life. The essence of the brand was inspired by rock art and dogu.
The dogu of the Jomon period, created over 10,000 years ago in ancient Japan, are clay figurines representing the earliest creatures in the country’s cultural history, predominantly taking human forms. Handcrafted from ceramic clay and then fired, these artifacts reflect the lifestyle of the Jomon people, who were devoted to agriculture and fishing. The dogu were integral to their religious beliefs, placed on altars or burial sites, and used in prayers and ceremonies — symbolizing the profound connection between people and nature, serving as conduits to the experience of sacred power.
Spirals are a recurring element in the brand’s identity, as they are forms frequently found in nature — present in various elements such as snail shells, the arrangement of flower petals, and even in the formation of sand grains. This spiral structure reflects the natural forces and patterns that govern growth and the organization of matter, emerging through processes such as sedimentation and erosion. These repetitions demonstrate the harmony and efficiency of natural patterns, uniting the micro and the macro within a universal language of forms.
In addition to being deeply present in nature, the spiral is also a recurring motif in rock art, often interpreted as a metaphor for the main stages of life: birth, life, death, and rebirth. Based on the visual resemblance between spirals in rock art and the countless natural elements that share this form, a variable logo was created to capture the brand’s essence — replacing the letter 'O' with a spiral or another natural element that shares this shape.
The dogu:
The sheep, often associated with innocence, tranquility, and life itself, represents creation, fertility, and continuity. The wolf, on the other hand, symbolizes death, predatory strength, and the inevitable transformation that comes with the end. Within the cycle of life, death is not a conclusion but a transition that enables renewal. The wolf and the sheep thus embody this duality — life flourishing through sacrifice and transformation, a perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, in which both forces are essential to maintaining the balance of nature.
The symbols encapsulate the entire concept of the brand. The flower, emerging from the earth: it sprouts from the soil, blooms in full beauty, and eventually withers, returning to the place from which it came. Similarly, the spiral in rock art is often interpreted as a metaphor for the stages of human existence. Finally, the sun is also frequently depicted in rock art; its rising marks the beginning, while its setting signals decline, encapsulating the idea of renewal and the continuity of existence within a cyclical and perpetual movement.
