IKUTA, Koji

Born: 1953 in Yamagata

Medium: Mezzotint

A graduate of Tama Art University, Mr. Ikuta is mostly self-taught in the difficult medium of mezzotint.   For each image the artist must first make small pits in a copper plate using a rocker tool with numerous sharp points.  After rocking the entire surface, were the plate to be inked and printed, the result would be a velvety black. Classically, the artist then goes back and burnishes and scrapes those pits so they will hold less or no ink.  The end result is a light image on a dark background.

Mr. Ikuta is especially fond of depicting both cats and owls shown in great detail, but yet with playful, humorous and joyful expressions.  In addition, he has applied color to some designs and introduced various subjects such as flowers, other birds and baskets. He is a true master of this meticulous printmaking process.

Selected Exhibitions:

CWAJ Print Shows, Tokyo

Solo shows in Tokyo and France

International Print Triennial, Chamaliéres, France (prize winner)

Selected Collections:

Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Washington DC

Krakow National Museum, Poland

Modern Graphic Art Museum, Norway

Musée Daubigny, France

Sakura City Museum of Art, Chiba, Japan

Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art

Mezzotint is one of the manuel noir (French."Black technique") copper plate print techniques. First the copper plate is engraved with countless fine grooves using a Rocker tool to make the black base. By then filing and polishing the grooves a half tone is produced. In order to make a print the plate is pressed in a press, a process which requires the skills of an experienced artisan. One of the most striking features of mezzotint is the deeply meditative black ambiance which is created. Koji Ikuta's work exudes crisp personalities. It is as if one is viewing a fine portrait. Full of soulfulness and humor the rich minute features which emerge from the darkness support the expertise and freedom of a master. Ikuta has exhibited widely both domestically and internationally. In recent years he has been particularly acclaimed in France and continues to release work there. Collections of his works are proudly displayed at: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and many art museum of America, France, Israel, Poland, Egypt, Norway, Ukraine and Taiwan etc.

メゾチントを始めて４１年が過ぎようとしている。

最初にメゾチントと出会ったころの感動が今も変わらず私の制作の原動力になっていると思う。

銅板に刻まれることによって生まれる黒の深さから表現される美しく繊細な明暗の諧調。

さらには技術の修練によって触覚を伴う視覚的に精緻な質感の表現を可能にする技法の潜在力。

私はこれに魅力を感じて制作を続けてきた。一方、版画の複数性も私は大事にしている。

生み出した作品が多くの人に共有してもらえる芸術なのだから私は一人よがりの作品にならないように努める。

多くの人に鑑賞してもらい、所有してもらえることこそ版画本来の役割だから。

私はこれからも誰にでも見える世界を描きつつもこの技法によってしか導きだされない精緻で美しい世界に、より多くの人が魅了される作品を全力で作っていきたいと思う。

メゾチントは職業版画家である私や私の家族の全てを支えるものだから。

生田宏司