Hagiwara, Hideo (1913 - 2007 )
Born in Kofu, Hideo Hagiwara attended Tokyo School of Fine Arts, studying under Un'ichi Hiratsuka, a pioneer of the Sosaku Hanga, or "creative print," movement. Hagiwara graduated in 1938, but his artistic career was put on hold when he was conscripted into the army in 1943. He returned to printmaking in 1950, working with the creative print movement's philosophy that art was self expression and consequently should be the product of a single creator. For some of his best known abstract prints, Hagiwara moved directly from conceptualization to woodblock carving without any intermediary sketch. His works are recognized as some of the most influential post-WWII Japanese prints.
Modern Art | Modern Japanese Prints and Paintings
The 20th century saw the emergence of two modern Japanese print movements: Shin Hanga, or “new prints,” and Sosaku Hanga, or “creative prints.” Both sought an identity somewhere between centuries of rich cultural tradition and modern global character. With growing realism, changing techniques, and a newfound international audience, the Shin Hanga movement portrayed familiar Japanese themes through modern eyes. From sensual beauties and expressive actors, to atmospheric landscapes and sensitive nature studies, the principal genres of ukiyo-e reasserted themselves with renewed vigor. The Sosaku Hanga movement emphasized the participation of the artist in every aspect of production. From carving to printing, modern Japanese printmaking adopted a more spontaneous, expressive attitude through the artistic explorations of this movement. Ranging from figural to abstract, Sosaku Hanga flourished after WWII. Explore Ronin Gallery's selection of modern prints and paintings below.