Poem 72 - 24

Medium: Color relief print
Dimensions: 4 x 4 inches (block) 6 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches (sheet)
Signature: Signed
Artist details: Japanese, 1924 - 2000
Date: 1972
Edition: 151
Reference: HM  #399

Recommended by Rebecca (Gallery Associate):

Haku Maki was an incredibly innovative printmaker, adding cement to the foundation of the printing matrix after cutting his woodblocks. This unique craft puts his work in conversation with contemporary printmakers such as Carol Summers (American, 1925 - 2016), or in tandem with Hiroyuki Tajima (Japanese, 1911 - 1984) who also used cement, or Glen Alps (American, 1914 - 1996) who used household paint additives such as ground walnut shells and Durham's Rock Hard Putty. Haku Maki's small prints from around 1960, like this one, were abstractions of Kanji characters. Using a thicker paper in 1963, helped captured the deeper embossing and accentuated the sculptural and textural qualities. His small prints are gems with dashes of color.