Purpose of the Exhibition

Cherries floating in the quiet darkness. Copper-plate prints of Yozo Hamaguchi (1909-2000) are impressive in their gradation of darkness containing light. In this exhibition, along with his copper-plate prints, “silver folding screen with orchid and bamboo” by a Nanga artist Hatano Kagai (1863-1944), who had been in contact with Yozo’s father, is displayed. The silver folding screen is arranged with bamboo and spring orchids on a clear stream and steep rocks, and the shades of the color black expresses even the rising mist and the fragrance of orchids, approaching us with a sense of realism. The influence of sumi-e (ink wash painting) in Hamaguchi’s works has been pointed out by critics many times to date. In search for further connections beyond painting style, please look at the works of two artists that resonate in eternal time and space, especially the harmony of black this time.

Greeting

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the museum of Yozo Hamaguchi, a world-famous copper-plate print artist, – the black and black competition – has been realized by putting his work together with “silver folding screen with orchid and bamboo”, a masterpiece by Hatano Kagai, a female Nanga artist, who is connected to the Hamaguchi family.  This Kagai’s folding screen was displayed behind the leaders at the Hiroshima G7 Summit May last year, and many people might have seen it on TV. This year is the 100th anniversary of the creation of this folding screen, and it will leave Miyajima for the first time to come to Tokyo. The competition of the black color of copper-plate prints of Yozo, who grew up under the influence of Nanga, and the ink of Kagai might create a new myth. It would be very grateful if many people could take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look at them.

Mari Odagiri

Great-granddaughter of Hatano Kagai

Copper-plate engraver Keiko Minami (1911-2004) was born in Toyama Prefecture and tried painting and poetry from her girls’ high school days.

After meeting Yozo Hamaguchi, who later became one of the leading copper-plate print artists of the 20th century, she was motivated and moved to France in 1953 and continued to create works in the world of copper-plate engraving.

Keiko Minami’s works are filled with full of transparent colors.

For example, the green color used in her works, one can feel her careful attention to the details, such as the green of the trees full of vitality and the warm green of the background.

During this trees and plants budding season, approximately 50 works are exhibited in this exhibition, mainly the works in gentle colors. Please take your time to appreciate the colors that remain unchanged in the shifting world.