Voice

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  I want to explore human emotion through my work.

  The interesting thing about printmaking, which is done through a process of “transferring,” is that it involves a large element of chance. The texture of each print can change slightly, depending on how you make the plate or mix the ink, which tools you use, and the amount of force you apply when printing. Things often don't turn out the way I want them to, but there are very moving moments as well, when I am able to express myself in a way that exceeds my expectations. What I like about the Printmaking Course is that there is always inspiration to be found, and I have access to first-class facilities where I can immerse myself in my work. I am also very close with my instructors and they are always happy to discuss anything I need to talk about. There is a wide variety of techniques used in printmaking, and while I specialize in silkscreen printing, every student has a completely different style, whether they do woodblock printing, copperplate printing, or photography. In joint critique sessions, students can openly exchange ideas and opinions with each other and gain new perspectives that they can then use in their work. After graduation, I plan to work for a company that creates products using silkscreen. I would like to continue working as an artist while using my skills to create products that customers want. My current theme is “negative emotions,” something everyone has but is usually difficult to express. I hope that by confronting these emotions within myself and transforming them into art, I can connect with others on an emotional level.

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  Using the unique techniques of printmaking as a source of growth

  Printmaking has evolved with technology, creating beauty that has gone beyond what anyone could have imagined. By printing with plates, the artist can create unique and alluring expressions with lines, colors, and images that just wouldn’t be possible when drawing by hand. There is an undeniable appeal to diversity and scope of print expression, which spans from woodblock, copperplate, lithograph, and silkscreen prints, to photography and book art. In my own research and production, it is important for me to enjoy the process and pursue my subject in my own way. Photography and printmaking have unique techniques and production processes you won’t find anywhere else, which provide insights and reveal possibilities when searching for your own unique form of creative expression. That's why having workshops and studios for different styles of printmaking is a great advantage for printmaking courses. I hope you will utilize these dedicated facilities and equipment to experience different printing techniques, discover what interests you, and delve into your own world from there. I think this course is perfect not just for those interested in photography and printmaking, but for anyone who wants to work in both art and design as well as those interested in picture books, illustration, and other forms of expression. I encourage all students to develop their skills of imagination, composition, and creation during their time at Kyoto Seika.

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  Combining materials and techniques to create your own artistic style

  What is meant by the word “expression?” Let’s start by considering a related word, “impression.” If we break down “impression” as it is written in Japanese (印象), we have two characters that can mean “Indian” and “elephant.” We can imagine that the first person to see an Indian elephant in Japan must have been impressed by what they saw. They then drew a picture of the elephant and showed it to someone who had never seen such an animal before. So we see something new, we draw it, and then we share it. That is what “expression” is all about. “Expression” cannot exist without an initial “impression.” That is why I want my students to see things that they have never seen before. I want them to be curious about and sensitive to the world around them, explore new places and find inspiration. Those “impressions” are what will fuel your creative “expressions.” Printmaking is made up of the three elements of form, color, and material. And with a variety of techniques, there are myriad possibilities. Explore all of these techniques and find the ones that work best for your creative expression. Then use your time here to establish your own unique style. Just like Mucha, Warhol, Hokusai... find your own voice. In my workshop at Kyoto Seika, I am here to help you develop into an artist who can tap into an endless supply of creative “expression.”