Haku Maki (1924–2000),"Poem 70-56" From “Poem” Series (1970/71)

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"Poem 70-56" print from the “Poem” series (1970/71) by Japanese artist Haku Maki (1924–2000)

Maejima Tadaaki (1924–2000), known since 1950 … Read more "Poem 70-56" print from the “Poem” series (1970/71) by Japanese artist Haku Maki (1924–2000)

Maejima Tadaaki (1924–2000), known since 1950 as Haku Maki, established himself in the canon of Japanese printmakers by producing prints of modified Chinese characters (kanji) in brilliant, contrasting colors using an unusual embossing technique.

Haku Maki was an abstract woodblock printmaker active during the second half of the 20th century. Born in Asomachi, Ibaraki prefecture as Tadaaki Maejima, he served in WWII before becoming a high school teacher in 1950. Around this time he began to produce his mixed media-prints. He became a member of the Japan Print Association in 1958 and exhibition his prints at the annual College Women's Association of Japan print show from 1970 forward.

While Haku Maki began his printing process with carving a woodblock, he would the add cement around the carved areas. Once the cement had dried, he would carve over his original lines. This process produced the deep embossing so characteristic of his works. In terms of subject matter, Maki explored abstracted Chinese characters, though he branched out to depictions of ceramics and persimmons later in life. After 1960, he began to add spots of color to his compositions. A master of modern Japanese abstract printmaking, Haku Maki's work can be found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art New York, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the British Museum. See less