Clifton Karhu - Born in Minnesota, Clifton Karhu lived and worked in Japan for more than fifty years, becoming one of the most important western artists working in the medium of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. Karhu served in Japan as a soldier in the U.S. Army, studying at the Minneapolis School of Art before returning to Japan permanently in the early 1950s. Karhu's colorful images of Japan, mostly of Kyoto where he lived, are lively designs celebrating the beauty and wonder of Japan and its ancient culture. His jewel-like colors, bold line work, and lyrical patterns create a vibrant portrait of his adopted country. Karhu exhibited widely, both in Japan and internationally, and his work can be seen in museums such as the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Sosaku Hanga - The sosaku hanga or creative print movement in Japan began in the early part of the twentieth century. Unlike the traditional collaborative woodblock printing process utilizing a separate artist, carver, and printer along with a publisher, the sosaku hanga movement emphasized artist involvement in designing, carving, and printing the blocks himself, as the sole creator of his work. The movement gained popularity following World War II, earning international acclaim and expanding subject matter to include abstraction. Today most contemporary Japanese print artists design, carve, and print their woodblocks themselves, continuing the vibrant creative tradition established with ukiyo-e. Sosaku hanga prints encompass a wide range of subjects and expressive artistic styles, and are a great choice for a collector interested in modern and contemporary prints.

Comments - Interesting large format vertical design in gray, black, and red, which includes text above trees with a woman at the bottom.

Signed - C. Karhu in pencil in bottom margin with red artist's seal

Artist - Clifton Karhu (1927 - 2007)

Image Size - 22 1/2" x 6 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Horizontal folds. Slight creasing. Please see photos for details.