Events Calendar

Fairbanks Gallery

Reception
4:30-6:00 Tuesday, November 7
Fairbanks Gallery

In his work Hiratsuka explores the co-existence of eastern and western influences. His images bear some resemblance to traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e prints (which were frequently decorative, brightly colored and featured highly stylized exaggerated and distorted figures) while also expressing contemporary aspects of the western world.

Hiratsuka’s prints are created by the intaglio printmaking process. This involves etching, drypoint, softground and roulette on a copper plate. He uses a four-color printing process (black, yellow, red and blue in order) on a thin Japanese Kozo (Mulberry) paper. As in the French use of the technique of “Chine Collé”, he applies glue to the back of the completed work and pass it through the press with a heavier rag paper beneath.

Of his work Hiratsuka says, “Japan is a land of contrasts. On the surface it appears that the culture of Japan has taken on thoroughly American and European characteristics, but behind this Western façade, Japan’s ancient and traditional philosophies have survived. I was raised in Japan among a mixture of eastern and western influences. For example, Japanese gardens are cultivated high top thirty story Western skyscrapers and people dine at a McDonald’s fast food restaurant or sip a cup of coffee at Starbucks while watching Sumou wrestling.”

“Although my artwork is mainly considered representational, I deal with more metaphorical aspects rather than realistic physical evidence. The human body along with other elements; fruit, vegetables, furniture, animals, etc. have been my most recent focus. The enigmatic figures I draw are reflections of such human conditions as; wry, satire, whimsy, irony, paradox or mismatch that happens often in people’s daily lives. My figures also employ a state of motion or movement suggesting an actor/actress who narrates a story in a play.”

Hiratsuka says that his interest in printmaking is based on the unpredictable texture that is printed from the etched surface of the copper plate. He further states that, “My prints explore the complex relationship of paper, ink and etched plates to describe my thoughts, as well as the relationship which occurs between figures and space to express other human experiences. I try to always investigate the maximum potential available to me as a printmaker.”

Hiratsuka is a highly prolific artist, and has gained worldwide recognition for his prints. He has had numerous solo exhibits in international venues, including Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland. His work is included in the collections of the British Museum in London; the Pañstwowe Museum Namajdanku in Poland; the Tokyo Central Museum Musem in Tokyo, Japan; the Cincinnati Art Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Portland Art Museum in Oregon, and the New York Public Library in New York.

Yuji Hiratsuka is a Professor of Art at the Department of Art at Oregon State University where he has taught printmaking since 1992. He earned his MFA in Printmaking from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1990, a MA farom the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces in 1987, and a BS from Tokyo Gakugei University, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, Japan in 1978.

Fairbanks Gallery is open to the public weekdays, 8am-5pm. The exhibition continues through November 29.

For more information: Douglas Russell (541) 737-5009 or drussell@oregonstate.edu

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