Yamaguchi Gen was a prominent Japanese artist who played a crucial role in the development of Japanese abstractionism. He was born in 1896 in Fukuoka, Japan, and began his artistic career as a painter before transitioning to printmaking in the 1920s. Yamaguchi's works were characterized by bold lines, vivid colors, and a unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modernist techniques. He was heavily influenced by the Sōsaku Hanga movement, which emphasized the artist's involvement in the entire printmaking process, from design to carving and printing. Throughout his career, Yamaguchi experimented with various printmaking techniques, including woodblock, lithography, and etching. He also curated numerous exhibitions and played an active role in the Japanese art scene, co-founding the avant-garde art group Mavo in 1923. Yamaguchi's works were widely exhibited both in Japan and internationally, and he received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the arts. Yamaguchi's legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary Japanese artists, and his works can be found in major museums and private collections around the world. His unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modernist techniques, as well as his commitment to the creative process, make him one of the most important figures in the history of Japanese art.
Yamaguchi Gen, Japanese artist, abstractionism, Sōsaku Hanga, printmaking, Mavo, traditional Japanese aesthetics, modernist techniques, exhibitions, legacy
Yamaguchi Gen (1896-1987) is a renowned Japanese artist and a pioneer of Japanese abstractionism. He created works never seen before in Japan, that were largely inspired by Sōsaku Hanga, or creative prints. His works are symbolized by bold lines and vivid colors. Some of his most prominent works include Owari no Kisetsu (The Last Season), Ao no Kagami (The Blue Mirror) and Komorebi no Uta (Song of Light). Additionally, Yamaguchi curated numerous exhibitions throughout Japan during his career and was one of the founding members of the avant-garde art group, the Mavo. He was awarded the Order of Culture from the government of Japan in 1953 and was given the title of Person of Cultural Merit in 1985.
Japanese artist, great master of abstract art, prints, Sōsaku Hanga, Mavo, Order of Culture, Person of Cultural Merit.
— Mei Wang
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