Clifton Karhu (1927-2007)

When I did some earlier postings on American-Japanese printmaker Clifton Kahru in December 2010 I could not foresee the following. 

Last week I received this friendly email from Paul Cerelsky making inquiries about his two Karhu prints after finding the Linosaurus postings.

But I am by no means an expert let alone have any specifique expertise on this kind of prints. But I like them very much. They are from his earlier and I think finest period of printmaking.

Paul, having lived in Japan for 40 years, and now disabled, is trying to find funds for buying a new means of transport allowing him to go outdoors. Sadly he is forced to decide selling these two prints that were given to him by the artist and friend Cliff in Japan in 1968.

I've agreed with Paul showing and sharing them here. Earlier posting on my favorite prints by Karhu has seen many visitors so maybe there's a Karhu collector out there appreciating this opportunity and great provenance of these prints.

Here's Pauls email adres: 

Paul CESELSKY: seikoc@msn.com

See these Links to my earlier postings on Clifton Karhu:


05-12-2010
07-12-2010
11-12-2010

Katasuyuki Nishiyama (1945-)

Katasuyuki Nishiyama

(1945- )

Japanese contemporary printmaker

Klaus' comment on the earlier Clifton Karhu post mentioned the resemblence of his work to this printmaker. I appreciate it very much when readers leave feedback or suggestions. So I did some homework on Nishiyama.

Born in Yamaguchi in 1945 he studied woodblock printmaking at Mikumo publishing house and began exhibiting with the Kyoto Independents in 1965.

He designs, carves and prints his blocks himself. His work is indeed very similar to Clifton Karhu. I pointed out earlier he was (even as a Westerner) of very great infuence to a new generation of Japanese printmakers. Like Karhu he favors depicting romantic views of traditional Japanese villages their romantic surroundings and every day scenes. I bet they knew each other very well.

His prints recall the rustic beauty of earlier times. Contrary to Karhu his prints are priced very reasonable and affordable. Just Google around and many more very nice examples show up.

Thank you again Klaus !

Clifton Karhu, my favourite prints

Because Clifton Karhu was not as known to you as I thought he would be I decided sharing a selection of my favourite prints with you. From Paris (1968) to his latest colourful and geometric, almost abstract compositions.
Unfortunatly his prints are way outside my financial reach. The two selfportraits showing he had become (and was accepted) truly Japanese. He was of great influence to a new generation of modern printmakers in Japan.

Clifton Karhu the 12 months of the year

Clifton Karhu

the 12 months of the year

(1968)

january pine

february plum

march cherry

april iris

may lily

june daffodil

july morning glory

august sunflower

september rose

october maple



november chrysanthemum




december camellia



Shall if share the 6 Zodiac prints too ?

Clifton Karhu

Clifton Karhu

(1927-2007)

Japanese printmaker.

Relax! I am not going to write anything academic or professionally on the life and art of Clifton Karhu. The man is world famous and I have no pretentions other than to show you some nice pictures and some funny things I’ve discovered.
Besides, I had to wait finding some flower prints he made to start this posting in a way appropriate to my Blog. These 3 are the only flower prints I know of. 1: Peony, 2: Cammelia and 3: Plum.

For those readers unacquainted with Karhu and his work: visit the many sites that show his wonderful prints and share the admiration and the esteem he was awarded with. The (condensed and just elucidating) text is borrowed from Artelino: http://www.artelino.com/articles/clifton_karhu.asp. A visit is a must.

Clifton Karhu, from Finnish-American descent was stationed from 1946 to 1948 on an American naval base in Japan. Back in the USA, Clifton studied at the Minneapolis Art School from 1950 to 1952.
He returned in 1952 to Japan as a missionary of the Lutheran Church. Traveling through Japan selling Bibles door-to-door. In 1958 he resigned as a missionary and returned to arts. In 1963 Karhu moved to Kyoto it was here he got interested in woodblock printing.

OK: one print to show his style for those unacquainted and because it's lovely and it's snowing here in december too.

Besides all the famous and beautiful prints he made early in his printing career also a series of “Shunga Light” prints. The art form of Shunga, with its very direct and explicit showing of mega structural organs in passionate action not to be shown here. Although not exactly my taste I have seen, like many of you, quite a few of course. Besides not good for one’s self esteem watching men hung and women build like baboons they are of a pornographically nature and hardly made for display on the (not even sleeping room) wall. But Karhu’s are!
The first (12) black and white prints show pencil-drawn Zodiac symbols on 9 of them. Three are without symbols. I think they were designs.

Later he made also colored prints. I know of 6. Some (almost) identical to the black and whites and 1 newly designed .


In 1967-68 he made 12 of these prints this time with floral designs on the kimonos. In a signed edition of 50. They show up occasionally. They never come cheap. I guess they are very personal and loved possessions and decorate sleeping rooms all over the world. Harmless even for children’s eyes.

But did you know there exists an unsigned edition too on heavy paper. Because of the flowers depicted and because they are so subtle I plan showing the complete set of 12. But only If I receive two (or more) positive comments from you. Karhu never returned to the subject so they can be qualified a youthful sin early in his printing career. But what a nice sin it was.

Here is the one for December: Camelia (the flower)

It's up to you now !