The Japan Foundation Toronto and JUN /KEN ARTS Collective, present a unique gathering of work by eight contemporary artist printmakers including a selection by their former teacher, artist Akira Kurosaki of Kyoto. Countries of origin include England, Ireland, Japan, Australia and Canada.  These artists have flourished in individual directions, while they continue to work as printmakers employing Japanese woodblock or mokuhanga.

The works in this exhibition explore a variety of contemporary practices in Japanese woodblock, demonstrating rigorous and exploratory handling of the medium within a range of thematic and conceptual approaches. Despite the simplest of materials, wood, water-based pigments, and paper, mokuhanga is a sophistocated medium requiring focus and discipline. The artist participants seize the challenges inherent in the medium to unlock its range and potential through imaginative personal vision within a contemporary approach.

In addition, the early roots of Japanese woodblock are also examined in a historical mini-exhibition. Authentic prints from 17th to 19th century publishers, including outstanding examples of ukiyo-e, displayed with annotations, will create an historical context for the main exhibition.

During the week of October 5 – 11,  visiting artist from Kyoto to Toronto, Akira Kurosaki, offers public lectures, one at the Japan Foundation, the other at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Also visiting, Master Printer Keizo Sato will provide a demonstration of the traditional practice, open to the public, at the Japan Foundation.

see EVENTS for complete details

Coming from China in the 9th century, Buddhist monks introduced the art of printing sacred texts and images to Japan. By the 16th century printing was becoming secularized and gradually black and white images gave way to colour woodblock.1

Referred to as nishiki-e, or brocade pictures, these prints contained richly coloured patterns depicting the popular courtesans, kabuki actors, etc. of the pleasure quarters (called ukiyoe-e or floating world pictures). In the 19th century, Hokusai and Hiroshige fed the travellers’ appetite for nature images producing scenes of Japan’s magnificent landscape.  When these print works were brought to the western world, they had an immediate impact on art and design in Europe.