Called Season by Rikio Takahashi

This is an embossed wood block print by noted Japanese abstract artist Rikio Takahashi. It is titled, Called Season. The image shows two mostly rectangular objects one in solid pink and the other diagonally divided into two shades of green. The larger rectangle contains colorful objects and what appear to be brush strokes. The piece also has similar strokes that are embossed directly on the paper. Takahashi was known to incorporate calligraphic elements into his work and was also known for creating three dimensional surfaces on his prints through the use of roughly carved wood or wood with course grain. This is very typical of his later work, although rendered in a smaller scale that most. It is unframed and printed on a full sheet. It is signed in pencil lower right Rikio Takahashi. It is dated, '83, and the edition 63/65 is given lower left with the title lower center. It is in excellent condition. The colors are rich pastels and the embossing is crisp. The plate size is 5 1/2 inches square printed on a nearly square sheet 7 x 7 3/8 inches. There may be slight paper tone although this could be the original paper color. There are no other issues including no staining, foxing, tears or paper loss. A beautiful piece by this Japanese master.

Rikio Takahashi (1917-1998) Rikio Takahashi was a Japanese woodblock artist. He was born in Tokyo to an artistic family. His father was a 'Nihonga' painter, and his uncle, Imaizumi Toshiji, was a 'Yoga' (Western style) artist. His training was unconventional in that he apparently did not study art (or even did much formal schooling) in Japan. He states that his only formal education was at the California Institute of Art where he studied when he was in the US in the 1960s. Prior to that and after the war, he studied with Japanese abstract artist with Onchi Koshiro. He incorporated some of Koshiro’s stylistic elements including the use of textured wood blocks that would add three dimensional textures to the paper when printed. He worked in an abstract style throughout his life. He drew inspiration from the gardens of Kyoto primarily influencing his use of color. He also incorporated abstract calligraphic figures in his work. He was an original member of the Sosaku Hanga or “creative print” movement. He exhibited with the Japanese Print Association and participated in the annual College Women's Association of Japan show. His work is held in major collections including the British Museum, the National Gallery of Australia, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art.