Technique in Focus: Masami Teraoka’s ‘Hawaii snorkel’ series
An excerpt from ‘Workshop: The Kenneth Tyler Collection’ about the techniques used in Masami Teraoka’s ‘Hawaii Snorkel’ series
“Teraoka’s work in both paint and print is distinctive for bringing together the precise and contained style of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, with surprising and often humorous elements of contemporary western life and American pop culture…
Like traditional ukiyo-e compositions, Teraoka’s ‘Hawaii snorkel’ series features flawless tonal gradations, delineated in black; multiple cartouches and seals bearing calligraphic text; and the careful, layered articulation of foreground, mid-ground and background space. To achieve the artist’s desired effect, Tyler employed ukiyo-e woodblock techniques, which produce a rich, intense black and sharp outlines, combined with newer western techniques of etching and aquatint. It was a complex, hybrid method of printing carried out in 13 distinct stages. The paper used was developed by Tyler in collaboration with Fuji Paper Mills Cooperative in Tokushima, Japan. Handmade and sized after extensive testing, it could withstand multiple applications of water and ink between printing stages.” [i]
Yasuyuki Shibata carving a woodblock for Masami Teraoka’s ‘Hawaii Snorkel Series’, Tyler Graphics Ltd., Mount Kisco, New York, 1993. Photographer: Jim McHugh
Yasuyuki Shibata moistening relief areas of carved woodblock for Masami Teraoka’s ‘Kunisada Eclipsed’ from ‘Hawaii Snorkel Series’ with a brush prior to inking, Tyler Graphics paper mill, Mount Kisco, New York, 1993. Photographer: Jim McHugh
Yasuyuki Shibata moistening relief areas of carved woodblock for Masami Teraoka’s ‘Kunisada Eclipsed’ from ‘Hawaii Snorkel Series’ with a brush prior to inking, Tyler Graphics paper mill, Mount Kisco, New York, 1993. Photographer: Jim McHugh
Using Ukiyo-e technique, Yasuyuki Shibata prints colour woodblock areas of Masami Teraoka’s ‘Kunisada Eclipsed’ from ‘Hawaii Snorkel Series’ woodblock, Tyler Graphics Ltd paper mill, Mount Kisco, New York, 1993. Photographer: Jim McHugh
Using Ukiyo-e technique, Yasuyuki Shibata prints colour woodblock areas of Masami Teraoka’s ‘Kunisada Eclipsed’ from ‘Hawaii Snorkel Series’ woodblock, Tyler Graphics Ltd paper mill, Mount Kisco, New York, 1993. Photographer: Jim McHugh
Yasuyuki Shibata removing newly printed impression of Masami Teraoka’s ‘Kunisada Eclipsed’ from ‘Hawaii Snorkel Series’ woodblock, Tyler Graphics paper mill, Mount Kisco, New York, 1993
Photographer: Jim McHugh
[i] Gwen Horsfield, ‘Masami Teraoka’ in Workshop: The Kenneth Tyler Collection, National Gallery of Australia, 2015, pp.266-9.
To learn more pick up a copy of ‘Workshop: The Kenneth Tyler Collection’ at the gallery's Art Store or visit Masami Teraoka’s artist page
