Media

The University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG), The University of Hong Kong (HKU), is honoured to present Japanese Printmakers of the Twentieth-Century Renaissance: Kurosaki Akira and Nakabayashi Tadayoshi, an exhibition highlights two of Japan’s most remarkable printmakers and their influence on a resurgence of printmaking in Japan. This cultural phenomenon grew as the artists underwent rigorous training while maintaining a robust interest in traditional printing methods, such as the world-renowned woodblock technique. Through their innovative experimentation, the two printers spearheaded a revival that further developed and expanded upon established printing techniques.

The opening of the exhibition was held at UMAG on Tuesday (October 15). Officiating guests included Director of Public Relations & Cultural Affairs Division of the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong Kotatsu Nishino, Collector Steven Co, HKU Museum Society Chairman Yvonne Choi and UMAG Director Dr Florian Knothe.

The unusual juxtaposition of two contemporary artists emphasises both Kurosaki and Nakabayashi’s masterpieces and their individual contributions to the ongoing development of Japanese printmaking. This pairing also highlights the distinctiveness, cultural relevance and novelty of their work. Both born in 1937 and similarly trained, Kurosaki and Nakabayashi pursued different topics and employed distinctive colour palettes. Despite these differences, they both excelled at abstract artmaking and are celebrated for their masterful storytelling.

While this resurgence of creative printmaking was propelled by technical invention and newly emerging abstract styles, its themes engaged with the rapid transformations of post-war Japan. This era witnessed a trend toward self-expression and ushered in an unprecedented age of experimentation and innovation in the arts.

For more images and exhibit captions, please click here.

Details of the Exhibition
Period: October 16, 2024 (Wednesday) to February 16, 2025 (Sunday)
Opening Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm (Tuesday to Saturday),1 pm–6 pm (Sunday)
Closed on Mondays, Public and University Holidays
Venue: 1/F, T. T. Tsui Building, UMAG, HKU, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Tel/Email: (852) 2241 5500 (General Enquiry) / museum@hku.hk
Admission: Free admission; In light of the HKU Tourist Flow Management Scheme, please enter via the ground floor of the Fung Ping Shan Building
Website: https://umag.hku.hk/exhibition/japanese-printmakers-of-the-twentieth-century-renaissance-kurosaki-akira-and-nakabayashi-tadayoshi/

Connect with UMAG on Social Media:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/umag_facebook
Instagram: @umag_hku, #UMAG, #JapanesePrintmakersOftheTwentiethCenturyRenaissance, #KurosakiAkira, #NakabayashiTadayoshi
YouTube: http://bit.ly/umag_youtube
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/umag_linkedin
Weibo: @香港大學美術博物館 UMAG

About UMAG
UMAG was founded in 1953 as the Fung Ping Shan Museum. It was originally established as the Fung Ping Shan Library in 1932 in honour of its benefactor. For more information on UMAG, please click here.

Media Enquiries
Tel: (852) 2241 5506, Email: musnews@hku.hk

When using any of the copyrighted images, please cite acknowledgement as ‘Image Courtesy of the University Museum and Art Gallery, HKU’.