A Suffolk native with a flair for art is now influencing and being influenced by the artistic scene in Tokyo, Japan, where he recently exhibited some of his work at a pop-up show.

Alvin Daughtery was born and raised in downtown Suffolk and attended King’s Fork High School, where he played basketball and graduated in 2010. He then attended Virginia Union University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

“I was always inspired by Japanese culture,” he wrote in an email interview. “My mother was into Chinese culture, which introduced me into the Asian aesthetic.”

Daughtery said art, or simply the concept of creating, runs in his family.

“As a kid, I always wanted to be a professional basketball player, like many kids where I’m from,” Daughtery wrote. “Art was always a side talent but never was taken serious until my senior year in high school, but the interest was always there.”

Daughtery said he has always been more into Japanese culture.

“Japanese people understand the ‘quality of life’ and always search for innovative and new things,” he wrote. “I also wanted to make the big step of coming here because it allowed me to open up my network and learn something new about the world around us.”

Daughtery said Japanese culture has inspired his art and creative spirit even more now that he is immersed in it.

“When I moved here, I was quickly aware that you can do anything you want,” he wrote. “Japanese people are so open minded and not afraid to express themselves, which in return allowed me to open myself up for creative ideas and concepts.”

Daughtery recently exhibited six of his pieces at Design Fiesta Gallery in the Harajuku district of Tokyo during a two-day pop-up show.

“I wanted to experiment with the gallery and get a clear understanding of how to show in the space,” he wrote.

He’s currently working on several special projects that he’s not yet ready to talk about, Daughtery wrote.

“I’m also producing work to show back in the States, which I am very excited about,” he wrote. “One of my main goals as a creative is to show my community back home the possibilities you can get out of life. You don’t have to be a musician or a professional athlete to do great things. I’m an artist, and I love every part about it.”

Those interested can follow Daughtery on Twitter at @ajdaughtery.