Out of the Darkness: Mezzotints by Katsunori Hamanishi

‘Out of the Darkness’ offered collectors of Japanese prints and admirers of mezzotint works the first opportunity in the UK to appreciate the career of the internationally renowned Japanese mezzotint artist, Katsunori Hamanishi.

 Hamanishi, born in Hokkaido in 1949, is one of a group of Japanese artists who have explored and developed the rich, three-dimensional effects achievable with the centuries-old European mezzotint (literally “half tone”) technique. Following his major exhibition last year with the legendary mezzotint artist Yozo Hamaguchi at the Worcester Art Museum, USA, Hamanishi has been hailed as one of the world’s leading mezzotint practitioners.

 ‘Out of the Darkness’ follows the artist’s development from his characteristically dark and elegant early works, featuring natural objects emerging from shadows into stark twilight, to his recent more colourful abstract and geometrical compositions. Using traditional Japanese subjects and aesthetics, Hamanishi is able to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries through his powerful imagery and masterful execution.

 Organised in association with Hanga Ten gallery.

 As part of the ‘Out of the Darkness’ exhibition, Katsunori Hamanishi gave a demonstration to a specially invited audience. Interpreting was provided by Isao Miura, a Japanese artist based in theUK.