Augustus 1911 Possibly 1910 - 1918

Nakamura Fusetsu made this print, Augustus 1911, out of woodblock, I see! The off-kilter quality of the print really draws me in. It feels like you're watching the artist figure things out in real-time. I love the combination of colours in this work: the cream, sienna, and blue create a harmonious palette. The creature floating in the middle is such a funny shape, and so roughly hewn, that it creates an interesting contrast to the text, which is more precise. It’s all a process! The use of line and the layering of colors give the print a real sense of depth. It's rough and loose, but that's part of its charm. You can see the hand of the artist in every mark. It reminds me a little of Matisse's cut-outs, in the way it uses simple shapes to create something complex and evocative. Art's a conversation, right? It’s about pushing and pulling.