Copper-plate artist Yozo Hamaguchi (1909-2000) adopted Western printing technology mezzotint into art expression, and further brought colors into the technique which used to be in monochrome. When looking closely at the darkness behind the bright red cherries, we come to notice that the colors overlap in layers. Its dark color is made up by overlapping four color plates of yellow, red, blue and black. Dark softness which looks like velvet and serene screen were highly appreciated internationally.

However, Hamaguchi did not stick to the technique of copperplate printing only, and he also tried to produce his works by lithography. The work of lithograph arranging flat colors rhythmically, which cannot be expressed by copperplate printing, shows different aspects, even though it describes the same motif as the work done by copperplate printing. The cherry which is Hamaguchi’s favorite motif looks like walking while bouncing in the colorful work of lithograph.

In addition, Hamaguchi challenged silk screen printing as another color adventure. At this exhibition, only one rare trial piece which was produced as an original image of a poster is introduced together with the poster itself.

This autumn exhibition consists of variety of works, focusing on Hamaguchi’s works by lithography, and further including approximately 40 copperplate prints that are his main works. Please enjoy a color trip, chasing after cherries.