Kira Godoroja-Prieckaerts on Masami Teraoka and the influence of ukiyo-e printmaking

Kira Godoroja-Prieckaerts (Kenneth E Tyler Assistant Curator, Catalogue Raisonne) discusses Masami Teraoka’s printmaking practice. This talk focusses on the influences of Japanese ukiyo-e prints and American Pop on Teraoka’s practice, as well as the printmaking processes used to create his Hawaii snorkel series published by Tyler Graphics.

Masami Teraoka is a Japanese born artist who lives and works in Hawai’i. Born in 1936, he moved to Los Angeles in 1961 at a time of social change and activism – amidst the sexual revolution, civil rights movement and burgeoning feminist movement. In America he began to make narrative works that utilise the visual language of Edo period (1603–1868) Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, and would later incorporate other historic artistic styles. Over his career he has become known for creating works with powerful and humorous social commentary on issues including the AIDS crisis, environmental degradation, globalisation, and corruption.

Teraoka works primarily in painting and printmaking, and in 1991 he began working with master printmaker and publisher Kenneth Tyler. Together they published the Hawaii snorkel series 1992–93, using a hybrid of the European etching and Japanese woodblock printing techniques. This fusion beautifully reflects the subject matter, which draws on Teraoka’s personal experience as a migrant to examine the social exchanges of Japanese and American mainland tourists meeting on the beach of Hawai’i.

Masami Teraoka and Japanese Ukiyo-e prints is on display in Gallery 26 from the 21 September 2024 – 2 March 2025.

Art Talks are a free weekly program. Hear from artists, curators and experts on the works in our collection and exhibition program.