Art Blog #73

Ukiyo-e Japanese Woodblock Prints coming to the gallery this September

Chikanobu

This September (2025) The Connor Contemporary will be showcasing Woodblock Prints from 1875-1950 from a number of Japanese artists, the plan is to have some framed and on show and have sections of the website dedicated to this art genre.

Overview:

Woodblock printing in Japan is a technique best known for its use in the ukiyo-e artistic genre of single sheets, but it was also used for printing books in the same period. Invented in China during the Tang dynasty, woodblock printing was widely adopted in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868).

Paul writes:

I started collecting Japanese Woodblock Prints approx. 20 years ago and have traced their history along with their influence on art such as Impressionism and Anime and I believe that this art form compliment the contemporary art that we showcase. I am looking forward to share images and information in September.

Quick guide on how they are produced:

The text or image is first drawn onto thin washi (Japanese paper), called gampi, then glued face-down onto a plank of close-grained wood, usually a block of smooth cherry. Oil could be used to make the lines of the image more visible. An incision is made along both sides of each line or area. Wood is then chiselled away, based on the drawing outlines. The block is inked using a brush and then a flat hand-held tool called a baren is used to press the paper against the woodblock to apply the ink to the paper.

www.connorcontemporary.com