Bokunen Naka

Just watched a programme in Japanese TV which is called Takeshi Art Beat: Bokunen Naka, woodblock print artist

The programme introduces the artist Bokunen Naka who is based on Okinawa, Japan.

His woodblock art is amazing and the programme shows how did he produce a print!

Woodblock printing is a form of fine art printmaking where an artist carves away a design from a piece of wood. In order to do this, the artist uses woodcutting tools that are somewhat similar to chisels. These tools come in a wide variety of sizes and edges such as v-shaped and u-shaped, and each individual tool produces a different cut. Printmakers well versed in their art know the exact woodcutting tool they need to produce a desired effect. 

Bokunen adds an additional dimension to his artwork by painting onto the back of the semi-translucent paper he uses for printing, enlivening the black ink images with splashes of vibrant colors. Lush, green banyan trees, cobalt oceans and carmine hibiscus pop from the pale yellow museum walls. Small placards are scattered among the museum prints that include quotes from Bokunen describing the content and inspiration for his work, as well an explanation of how he makes his art. The gallery’s far wall is a stunning series of large murals with dancer-like figures that seem to move whimsically but have enigmatic expressions. At over seven feet in height, it is easy to become lost in the scene while marveling at the time it must have taken Bokunen to create this body of work.

During the programme, he mentions about the importance of colour:)

The colours expresses themselves when they are together 

The colours have souls:) (which made me rmb the paintings of Edel Adnan which I have seen in Documenta 13)