Intaglio Printmaker Prize Winner: Kouki Tsuritani
Earlier this year we had the pleasure of attending The Society of Wood Engraver’s 87th annual exhibition at the Bankside Gallery in London. It is always a beautiful show filled with meticulously crafted and highly technical wood engraving prints. This year was our first awarding with The Society of Wood Engravers, and we are pleased to announce that Kouki Tsuritani was the recipient of our prize for his print ‘I Want To Fly Somewhere Far Away’. We loved the beautiful use of multiple line engraving in this piece to create depth and tone, and the surrealistic, minimalistic composition. Read on to discover more about Kouki’s inspiration and practice.
I Want To Fly Somewhere Far Away by Kouki Tsuritani
‘I Want To Fly Somewhere Far Away’
Wood Engraving Print
Edition of 100
150 x 110mm
Please could you tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind the work?
I always carry a notebook, and when I have free time, I draw something in it. It is the most enjoyable time for me.
The inspiration came like that time. I think that the things I normally feel unconsciously are expressed in my notebook. I already have many ideas in my notebook now. So I’ll probably never run out of ideas for the rest of my life!
What made you get into printmaking?
I majored in oil painting in college. So I study printmaking myself. At first it was just a sub at oil painting, but after many failed attempts I came to enjoy printmaking.
Tell us about your other works – are they similar or different? Do you tend to work within one technique?
I think they’re not different but sometimes people say they are – please check on my website; Kouki Tsuritani
Actually, I have two techniques, wood engraving and Mezzotint.
But the difference doesn’t mean much to me. Because both techniques are similar to process black to white. And I would like to express the beauty of rich tone.
What would be on your ultimate Intaglio Printmaker wish list?
My ultimate item is woodblock for wood engraving. I use boxwood. But it’s becoming harder to get and the price is rising. I love the material.
If you could own 1 artwork, what would it be?
“Where are we going?”
This piece is the biggest wood engraving work I have made. I spent a half year on that work.
Kouki Tsuritani - About the artist
I am a printmaker and was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1967.
I try to combine the philosophy of traditional Japanese art (such as Ukiyoe, which means “Floating world”) with traditional European printmaking.
I make black and white mezzotints, photogravures and wood engravings. I like the rich harmony of monochrome and think it the most sympathetic for expressing the depths of our emotions and for reflecting the inner views of people who live in a “floating” modern world. I hope that viewers of my works find them intriguing and are provoked to feel something of their lost memories.
I trained in painting and printmaking at Kanazawa College of Art, Japan. I have exhibited extensively throughout Japan and in international exhibitions.
Artistic Process
I use my drawing and carving skills in making the three types of prints I produce – mezzotints, woodblocks and photogravures. The richness in tones of monochrome prints is important and for me a key element in the blend of ‘Ukiyoe’ and traditional European printmaking that I am currently working on.
Congratulations on your win, Kouki!
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