TAKAHASHI Rikio
Born: 1917 in Tokyo, died in 1999
Medium: Woodblock

Takahashi was a member of the original Creative Print movement in the early post-war years. Under the guidance of Koshiro Onchi, the group supported the development of a whole movement of Japanese artists, which has since become internationally acclaimed. He also did further study at the California Institue of Art.

Takahashi’s use of the traditional woodblock medium was accomplished in a particularly unique fashion. He partially overlapped two blocks, and prints with thin watercolor ink. This creates distinct tonality in the overlapping application of translucent inks.

Takahashi always used an abstract style, and frequently his subject matter was Kyoto-area gardens. There is a fluidity in his creations which is unusual in this medium, and his prints are marked by great depth with the use of the overlapping blocks.

In addition, Takahashi often includes narrow moving lines in either black or white to enhance the unity of the different areas of color, and may provide increased interest in his compositions with the addition of some embossing on the paper.

The end result is a unified whole, which exhibits the great care Takahashi devoted to composition, as well as the planning of color and texture combinations. There is an aura of peace and tranquility engendered by the subtle colors and diffuse light of these masterful renditions.

Exhibitions:
New York City--one man show
Paris, France--one-man show
CWAJ Exhibits, Tokyo, Japan--1962- present
Dusseldorf, Germany--one man show
International Print Exhibition Taipei, Taiwan--prize winner
Tokyo & Kyoto, Japan--numerous solo exhibitions
San Diego Art Museum one man show 1970
Xylon International Woodblock Triennial, Switzerland--prize winner in 1984 & 1990
Japan Prince Association, Tokyo (annually)
Krakow International Print Biennial, Poland
Honolulu, Hawaii - one person exhibit

Collections:
Geneva History & Art Museum, Switzerland
Art Institute of Chicago
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City
The British Museum, London
Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii
Museum of Modern Art, New York City