Traditional woodblock printmaking exhibit opens at Portland Japanese Garden

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – The Portland Japanese Garden is debuting its first exhibition of the year, featuring artists from Portland, Japan, and across the country. The exhibit, opening this weekend, is bringing new attention to an art form that’s been around for hundreds of years.

The art style is called mokuhanga – traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking. The technique uses carved wood blocks, water-based pigments, and paper made from plant fibers.

Carolyn Supinka, assistant director of exhibitions at the Portland Japanese Garden, said many artists are drawn to the process because it’s simple and environmentally friendly.

“The work on display at the show is all artwork that was created in response to nature. What I think’s so special about mokuhanga is that there are different and diverse products that you can use to create the same process,” Supinka said.

The new exhibit, “Enduring Impressions,” features prints from seven artists currently working in this tradition. Each artist created several pieces showing everything from traditional prints to more experimental styles.

“So a full range of pieces that range from traditional mokuhanga to more experimental contemporary pieces… including some prints that merge printmaking with ceramics,” Supinka said.

Visitors can also learn how the prints are made and see the tools and process behind the artwork.

“I think something that’s so special about mokuhanga is the process is almost just as beautiful as the final product,” Supinka said.

The exhibit first opened at the Honolulu Museum of Art before coming to Portland. The exhibition opens Saturday and runs through June 15 at the Portland Japanese Garden.

“We added a Portland-based artist to really celebrate the vibrant landscape and artistic community of the Pacific Northwest,” Supinka said. “I’m really excited to showcase the work of Aya Morton – it blends leaf printing with silk screen printing to create these gorgeous works of scenes and environments of the Pacific Northwest.”