Echoes through nature

About

Yuasa makes large monochrome woodcuts based on his own photographs. They are not so much observations but rather contemplations of the world around us and invite more questions they reveal. The exact source of the images feels uncertain, with delicate, semi-abstract images of domestic objects and scenes, cityscapes and flora, at once containing the pin-sharp realism of a photograph, while simultaneously revealing something more fragile - as if part of the image has somehow been stripped away. A lengthy process is involved in converting a photograph into a woodcut. In order to attain the purity and essence of the image, the photograph is processed in monochrome by computer. This ‘purifying' process goes even further as the resulting image is carved from a wooden panel with a traditional Japanese knife. The final result is printed by hand on paper. Yuasa's sharp eye in combination with the use of modern and traditional techniques results in woodcuts in which time has stood still and the beauty and mystery behind the everyday world is laid bare. In October 2008, Yuasa's work was selected for ‘10', as one of the ten successful graduates of the printmaking course from the last decade. This exhibition was held to commemorate the retirement of Professor Chris Orr RA at the Royal College of Art, Echoes through nature: Woodcuts by Katsuotoshi Yuasa is organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in association with Mark Jason Gallery and TAG Fine Arts. It is a Japan-UK 150 event.