Holidays

As of today I am on holiday, locked out of the studio until April.

Alas, what shall I do?

Well, I will try my best to keep drawing, going to art shows, studying and planning for my 終了制作 (graduation work)

This is my newest piece which I am currently sewing and drawing overtop of a 4 colour lithograph. I printed an edition of 6 of just the lithograph, but this one I hope to turn into something extra special!

Hard at work

Being a first year master's student means you have to do all the dirty work for the year. Today we were printing the works that will be given to the graduating students next month. 10 hours of straight printing and still not done... exhausting!

It was, however, fun to print intaglio for the first time in many years.

Museums

Today I went to see an exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. I was talking about a certain piece with some other people when we were asked to keep it down.

It got me to thinking what exactly is wrong about discussing the works that you are seeing?

Art should be more accessible and creating a completely silent and sterile environment is not helping. For me, being able to share ideas while at a museum is an important part of enjoying art.

We are coming to the end of our weeklong new year's holiday and I have spent a good part of it at home working on my next piece. I am a bit worried that due to the time I have spent drawing this plate, it might pick up dirt and have problems during processing but I am keeping my fingers crossed. Here are a few in progress shots

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

I will start off 2012 by participating in a group show of small works.

I will be showing 10 new prints, lithography, linocut and sewing, in an exhibition of drawings, prints and sculptures by young artists working in Japan.

The exhibition will run from Jan 12 - 21, 2012 at Art Space Rashinban.

Please come out for the opening reception on Jan 12th from 6 pm.

Exhibitons

Yesterday was the opening party for the 36th All-Japan University Print Exhibition at the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts. It is a huge scale exhibition with works from most of the Universities offering printmaking programs in Japan, a mix of undergraduate and graduate student works and all types of print media.

I was very happy to be selected to receive one of the purchase prizes and have my work become part of the museum collection.

The next project I am busy working on is a small works show and sale in January at Art space Rashin

More detailed information can be found on the website (in Japanese only)

Shows, shows and more shows

Today I had the lovely surprise of receiving this catalogue in the mail. It is from the Yamamoto Kanae Print Grand Prix Competition in Nagano, one of the 5 shows I am exhibiting in this month.

Today was the last day for the Print Collection show at school, a great success.

Starting next week is the Japan Print Society Exhibition in Saitama for which I will be going to the party and award ceremony on the 18th.

Back in the hallway at school will be the Tawara Prize, exhibition of the 1st year MFA printmaking students, starting on my birthday, Nov 21.

Last but not least, I have submitted a new piece to be revealed at the Geidai Art Plaza Award show starting that same week.

Spaghetti Neck

I am currently racing to finish a print for an exhibition with all the first year MFA printmakers at school.

This is the progression of Spaghetti neck and how I am usually working on a lithograph.

The finished print was displayed at school as part of the Tawara Prize show and will be shipped off next week to the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts.