Japanese culture adds spice to Slippery Rock
By Dara Salley
Rocket Assistant Life/A&E Editor
Issue date: 9/23/05 Section: Entertainment
Japan may be halfway around the world, but the culture of Japan is closer then you think.
On display this week at the Martha Gault Gallery on Kiester Road is an exhibition of the work of six contemporary Japanese artists. These artists show their various interpretations of the ancient Japanese art of printmaking.
Printmaking is a tradition in Japanese culture that has been around since ancient times. The artists have taken this ancient art form and added the influences of western artwork and their own personal interpretations to create dynamic works of art that have a unique appeal.
These artists grew up in Japan and their origins are reflected in their artwork. However, their artwork is definitely not traditional Japanese illustration, but rather a hybrid of the styles of many cultures. Art is no longer a localized phenomenon. Artists are influenced by art from all over the world, and the artwork they produce is a cultural mixture.
The prints of Shiko Munakata, for example, have a distinctive look. The figures they portray are drawn semi-abstractly and have faces that look like masks. This shows the influence of modern western artists such as Picasso. Picasso in turn was inspired by the artwork of African tribes. The print that is produced by Munakata has the flavors of all these different cultures mixed into a statement of personal interpretation.
Although wood cutting is the technique favored by these artists, other methods of creating prints are used as well.
Artist Akio Takamori used a technique called lithography to create his works of art. Lithography is an art that has its roots in scratching pictures on stones. It is a technique preferred by artists like Takamori because it allows for an effect similar to that of a brush or pencil, but it can be reproduced.
Takamori, who now resides in Seattle, uses this versatile medium to create works of art that look into human emotions and sexual situations. He began working with traditional Japan's folk art forms as a young man, until he saw an exhibit about art from Latin America, Canada and the United States. Takamori was impressed by the anti-authoritarian quality of the work. He then combined the ancient techniques he learned with the new influences to create artwork all his own.
On display this week at the Martha Gault Gallery on Kiester Road is an exhibition of the work of six contemporary Japanese artists. These artists show their various interpretations of the ancient Japanese art of printmaking.
Printmaking is a tradition in Japanese culture that has been around since ancient times. The artists have taken this ancient art form and added the influences of western artwork and their own personal interpretations to create dynamic works of art that have a unique appeal.
These artists grew up in Japan and their origins are reflected in their artwork. However, their artwork is definitely not traditional Japanese illustration, but rather a hybrid of the styles of many cultures. Art is no longer a localized phenomenon. Artists are influenced by art from all over the world, and the artwork they produce is a cultural mixture.
The prints of Shiko Munakata, for example, have a distinctive look. The figures they portray are drawn semi-abstractly and have faces that look like masks. This shows the influence of modern western artists such as Picasso. Picasso in turn was inspired by the artwork of African tribes. The print that is produced by Munakata has the flavors of all these different cultures mixed into a statement of personal interpretation.
Although wood cutting is the technique favored by these artists, other methods of creating prints are used as well.
Artist Akio Takamori used a technique called lithography to create his works of art. Lithography is an art that has its roots in scratching pictures on stones. It is a technique preferred by artists like Takamori because it allows for an effect similar to that of a brush or pencil, but it can be reproduced.
Takamori, who now resides in Seattle, uses this versatile medium to create works of art that look into human emotions and sexual situations. He began working with traditional Japan's folk art forms as a young man, until he saw an exhibit about art from Latin America, Canada and the United States. Takamori was impressed by the anti-authoritarian quality of the work. He then combined the ancient techniques he learned with the new influences to create artwork all his own.
