Yoshikatsu Tamekane was born in 1959. The woodblocks of Tamekane explore a variety of themes, including time, space, and the future. The dyes that he uses for his woodblock are the same that Hiroshige used almost 150 years ago.

Yoshikatsu Tamekane is known for frequently adding rich textural qualities to his woodblocks. This is achieved by the use of collage, a process in which different materials are collaged onto the surface of a block. Tamekane uses such diverse materials as string, resinous gum and various papers. This raised surface of the collagraph can be inked and printed as a relief block, or the crevices between the raised areas can be inked and printed as an intaglio, or the artist may even choose to do embossing without using any ink. In addition, he often incorporates gold and silver leaf, as well as more muted coloring to create dynamic images of both depth and mystery.

 

The woodblocks of Tamekane explore a variety of themes including time and space. He says he savors the past and also looks forward to the next century as a time of hope and advancement for the human spirit. His titles reflect this philosophy- Far Days, From a Memory, White Dream, A Long, Long Trip and A Remembrance. There may be landscapes and such diverse elements as distant moons or planets, a musical clef, sweeping brush strokes, or even a shadowy horizon beset with the rich texture of silver leaf. In each the artist successfully draws in the viewer with composition, texture, color and dimensionality all combining to create a vision of haunting beauty.

Museum Collections: Bibliotheque Nationale: Paris, Osaka Contemporary Center, Art Gallery of New South Wales.