Inhoudsopgave Possibly 1909

Kamisaka Sekka made this print, called Inhoudsopgave, at an unknown date, presumably using traditional woodblock techniques. It’s all about process; you can see the artist thinking through the marks and how they relate. The work is a very physical thing. The texture of the paper, slightly aged, and the contrast with the dark ink, create a tension that’s almost tactile. Look closely at the first column of characters. See how the ink bleeds slightly into the paper? It feels like the characters are breathing, alive. Sekka’s wider body of work is very much about pattern and design, like that of William Morris. But unlike Morris, there is a sparseness here, an emptiness that allows for contemplation. It embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations.