The Attraction of Multiplicity – Asian Printmaking Joint Exhibition

By Han Yu

The uniqueness of printmaking lies in its reproducibility; through various printing techniques, multiple copies can be produced, combining print craftsmanship with the essence of the artwork. Limiting the edition size and including the artist’s signature ensures these works are issued in a “limited release,” providing their scarcity and value. Although the editions of prints are sometimes small, their multiplicative nature allows many classic works that would otherwise remain unseen to be more accessible. Moreover, the issuance of multiple copies means lower prices per piece, making it easier for young collectors to acquire and integrate the aesthetic experience of prints into the corners of everyday life.

China / Flowing Brushstrokes
Zao Wou-Ki’s print works display a grand abstract world, reminiscent of both mystical Eastern landscapes and Western abstract painting, with majestic, fluid, and dynamic elements. His later works tend toward abstraction, with reduced lines and gestures and subdued colors, featuring surreal compositions with a vague sense of space. Known primarily for his paintings, he also has a substantial body of classic print works, where he experimented extensively with printmaking techniques.

Zhu Dequn’s lithographs also present in abstract forms, merging Chinese aesthetics with the spirit of Western abstract painting, rich in musical rhythm. The lyrical and poetic content between strokes, with simplified elements, smooth lines, and intense colors, brings rich contrast and tension to the images, creating bright and abstract landscapes that provoke thought.

Ding Xiongquan’s works, often featuring nudes, use bold and bright colors. The flowing lines between women and flowers are gorgeous and dreamy, creating a world filled with temptation, passion, and dazzling colors.

Taiwan / Muted and Tranquil Landscapes
Lin Shou-Yu’s minimalist works blend Western abstractism and traditional Chinese painting. Using white as the base tone, he skillfully layers varying intensities, weights, and proportions of white, creating simple yet powerful images. Occasional black, red, or filtered lines and small squares introduce a dream-like, ethereal layering of beauty. The serene minimalist scenes invite limitless imagination.

Yang Jiongdi’s metal etchings capture detailed landscapes, condensing memories into serene and profound light and shadow, like developing photographs of the mind, sealing away elapsed time and emotions. These two Taiwanese artists present their delicate and quiet landscapes in distinctly different ways.

Japan / A Dazzling Fantasy Playground
Active in the 1960s, the avant-garde art group Gutai, led by Yoshihara Jiro, brought together young artists in a wave of creativity that challenged traditional norms with a spirit of freedom. Their innovative forms of expression broke existing boundaries, including performances and large installations. After Gutai disbanded, Motoyama Sadamasa continued to create in the spirit of the group. This exhibition features several works by Yoshihara Jiro and Motoyama Sadamasa, highlighting the event.

Yoshihara Jiro’s works extensively experiment with various forms of “circles,” constantly evolving through organic encounters and geometric control, displaying his unique personality and methods, and embodying his artistic ideology. Motoyama Sadamasa’s abstract works bring vibrant and playful color combinations, self-proclaimed as part of the “Foolish School,” his works carry a touch of silliness and humor, with primitive shapes and cartoon-like forms inspired by children’s art and Japanese manga, creating a playful and whimsical atmosphere.

This exhibition at San Gallery showcases multiple works, offering a fresh and humorous look at the delightful ambience of his creations. Tadanori Yokoo’s graphic design works are always notable for their psychedelic collages and vivid intensity, constructing a unique world of mysterious surrealism. Likewise, spanning design and art, Tamiya Sho’s works transform Japanese cultural and historical art into his unique creations, combining elements like tattoos, religion, machinery, weapons, and ukiyo-e, displaying a style that is both extravagant and splendidly opulent. Unlike other Japanese artists showcased, Tomita Satoshi has recently worked in stark black and white portraits, though the subjects are explicit, they are presented in a highly abstract manner. Nakata Ikumi’s warm and gentle style portrays the innocence and romance of childhood and adolescence. Shimoda Mitsu’s candy-bright style contrasts with dark and melancholic themes, constructing a world where cuteness and horror coexist.

San Gallery’s print exhibition brings together twelve artists from China, Taiwan, and Japan, encompassing masterpieces and works by young artists, each displaying a unique worldview and the charm showcased through their use of print media.

The Appeal of Plurality – Asia Print Exhibition

wrote by Hanyu

The unique feature of printmaking is its reproducibility. Multiple works can be created through different printing methods. By combining the printing process and the meanings of the work, and through limited prints and the autograph of the artist, “limited releases” can ensure the rarity and value of the works. Although there are only a few copies of some prints, compared to original paintings where there is only one piece in the world, the plurality of print creates more opportunities for many rare classics to be seen in their original form Furthermore, the release of multiple copies lowers the price of individual works, helping young collectors to include the art in their collections and bringing the aesthetics of prints into daily life with ease.

China / Flowing Brush Strokes

The prints of Zao Wou-Ki present a grand abstract world. They are reminiscent of both the mysterious Shan Shui paintings of the East and the abstract paintings of the West. The majestic nature of the prints creates a flowing and dynamic world. His later works are even more abstract. With fewer lines and postures, and more calm colors, his works create a vague sense of space with a surreal composition. Although he is famous for his paintings, Zao Wou-Ki has also created large amounts of classic prints. He has experimented with and explored several different printmaking methods.

The lithographic prints by Chu Teh-Chun are also abstract in nature. They incorporate Chinese aesthetics with Western abstract painting. The works are filled with music and rhythm, and each brush stroke is sensual and poetic. The simplified elements, flowing lines, and strong colors create contrast and tension in the images. The radiant and abstract landscapes invoke a sense of fascination.

The works of Walasse Ting are based on the naked female form and his use of color is bold and lively. The flowing and vibrant lines between the woman and flowers are magnificent, graceful, and filled with fantasy. His world is full of temptation, passion, and gorgeous colors.

Taiwan / Mysterious and Serene Landscapes

The minimalist works of Richard Lin are a combination of Western abstract art and traditional Chinese paintings. His works use white as the foundation and layers of whites with different shades, weights, and contrasts are added, providing a clean and powerful look. The black, red, and filtered lines and blocks create a dream-like and ethereal aesthetic. The serene minimalist images inspire unlimited imagination among the viewers.

The metal etchings of Yang Chiung-Ti recreate the scenes from his memory with delicate landscapes. The profound and peaceful lights and shadows represent the images in his mind, cementing times and emotions of the past. The prints of the two Taiwanese artists recreate delicate and peaceful landscapes through completely different methods.

Japan / Gorgeous Playground of Fantasies

Gutai, an avant-garde art group active in Japan in the 1960s, consisted of young artists led by Jiro Yoshihara. They created a new wave of art by freely challenging traditions. Their creativity shattered existing frameworks. Aside from graphic creations, they also conducted behavioral performances and designed large installations. Among them, Sadamasa Motonaga was one of the representative artists of Gutai. After Gutai was disbanded, he continued to uphold the creative spirit of the group. The exhibition contains several works by Jiro Yoshihara and Sadamasa Motonaga, which are highlights of the exhibition.

The works of Jiro Yoshihara experiment with various types of “circles”. With the contrast between organic creation and geometric control, he continuously developed various forms of circles, displaying his unique personal temperament and methods and incorporating his creative ideas. The abstract works of Sadamasa Motonaga create fun combinations of vibrant colors. As a member of the self-proclaimed “school of fools”, his works are silly and humorous. The primitive embryo-like shapes and cartoon-like forms come from his interest in children’s art and Japanese manga, filling his works with a sense of playfulness. Several works are being exhibited in San Gallery during this exhibition. The viewers can enjoy the fresh and humorous character of his works.

The graphic designs of Tadanori Yokoo are always composed of psychedelic collages and vibrant, strong and attention-grabbing colors, which create an unique and magical world. Hisashi Tenmyouya, whose works span design and art, combines Japanese cultural history and art history into his own unique works, integrating elements from tattoos, religion, machinery, weapons, and Ukiyo-e. His works have a crazy and extravagant style. Tomoo Gokita is different from the other Japanese artists included in the exhibition. In recent years, he has been using a vibrant style based on black and white to create portraits. Although the theme is clear and specific, he presents the subject in an extremely abstract way.

Ikumi Nakada uses her gentle and delicate style to recreate the innocence and romance of memories from childhood and youth. Hikari Shimoda uses candy-like vibrant colors to depict grey and depressing themes, creating a cute but horrific world.

In this exhibition, San Gallery has gathered 12 artists from China, Taiwan, and Japan, covering the classic works of masters and the creations of young artists. The exhibition displays the various unique worldviews and styles of the artists and the charms of the print medium.