Wieneke Archive Book 4e : Exhibitions and Galleries in Australia - misc Presscuttings

Ill JAPANESE PRINTS ARE DELIGHTFUL By GERTRUDE LANGER JAPANESE prints lent by private collectors in aid of the Women's College building appeal fund provide the public with a delightful exhibition,. A large proportion of the show is taken up by original polychrome prints representing illustrations to Japanese literature. Remembering that these are examples of what the Japanese consider as "popu- lar art," we must marvel at the artistic quality and aes- thetic refinement of line and colour. A number of artists appre- ciated by connoisseurs are represented such as Kuni- sada and Kunlyoshi. They belong to the school of Toyokuni, Japan's unsur- passed teacher of the col- oured woodblock print. Two of his original prints are now on The Courier - Mail Art Panel. Reproductions To make up for the lack of originals by some very famous masters, five large and excellent reproductions are on show. They Include the famous "Great Wave" by Hokusal, which is said to have been part of Debussy's inspiration when he composed "La Mer," and an exquisite half-length portrait of a tea -house beauty by 18th century artist, 1.Ita- mhru, who was unrivalled as a painter of lovely women. The polychrome woodblock print flourished in Japan in the 18th and first half of the 19th centu, when the great masters, okusal and Hiro- shige, hadled it to new heights. After this, the Introduction of aniline colours and other. western influences led to a rapid decay. Tricky process The woodblock process is a very tricky one, as :I mipar- ate block is used for each colour appearing in the fin- ished print. The superlative precision reached In Japan is unrivalled, as is well illus- trated in the Horoshi Yo- shida prints. The exhibition opens to- night at the Moreton Gallery, and will be on display only until Friday, between 7 and 9 pm. ""1