Girl D 1967

Kiyoshi Saito made this woodblock print, "Girl D", with ink on paper. The process really sings out. The black ink isn't just slapped on; it’s coaxed, layered, and worked into the paper's grain. There’s a really cool contrast in how Saito treats the surface. The girl's silhouette is solid and smooth, almost like a void, but then her clothing is a whole different story. Here, you can see the texture of the woodblock, the way the ink catches on the ridges and grooves, creating this almost topographic map on her back. It's tactile, earthy, and alive, and I love how those rippling lines mirror the curve of her shoulders. Saito’s work reminds me a little of Emil Nolde, who also had this amazing ability to make prints that felt both ancient and modern. I think that's because Saito embraces imperfection. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s the thing, with all its flaws and quirks." That's what makes it real.