Waterhoentjes tussen riet 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of moorhens in the reet sometime between 1900 and 1936. The delicate veining of the woodgrain evokes a misty dawn. You can almost feel the cool damp air. I imagine Koson, with his chisels and knives, carving away at the block bit by bit. You know, I think he’s after something more than just a picture of birds in a marsh. I imagine him trying to get at the essence of a fleeting moment, right there in front of him. The grey tones remind me of Whistler, but there's something distinctly Japanese about the way he captures the stillness and quiet of the natural world. The placement of the birds, slightly off-center, creates a sense of balance and harmony. It's like they're part of a larger composition that extends beyond the frame. It’s a gentle nod to the interconnectedness of all things. Artists never work in isolation, we’re always in conversation, building on the ideas of those who came before, and inspiring those who will come after.