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Poem 70-35

Artist Maki Haku (Japanese, 1924–2000)

Date1970

Mediumwood, cement and mortar-mould print, ink and color and paper

Dimensions55.5 x 28.4 cm (21 7/8 x 11 3/16 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Juda

Terms

Object number1970.113

Label Text2004-08-06: MAKI, Haku (1924-2000) Poem 70-35 1970 Ed. 9/154; signed Haku Maki; sealed Haku Maki Wood-, cement and mortar-mould print, ink and color on paper Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Juda, 1970.113 Maejima Tadaaki, known by his artist name Maki Haku, learned printmaking at the monthly Ichimoku-kai (First Thursday Society) gatherings organized by the Creative Print Association leader Onchi Koshiro, as the master's youngest student. Showing considerable independence of mind, Maki experimented with natural wood-grain accentuated with a wire brush and other tools. From the 1960s onwards Maki created his characteristic deeply embossed designs, many derived from ancient Chinese ideograms. The expressive oracle-bone-like shapes in this print are inscribed with a stylization of the character meaning "play" or "joke." In deference to traditional art, Maki always added an old-style red seal and to honor Onchi he often, like his master, used the word "poem" in his titles. Maki printed his compositions on very thick paper with a plywood-block faced with shina (Japanese lime veneer) and with carved-away areas built up in relief with cement-paste. He textured the cement-paste surfaces with varied tools before they dried and then applied water- and/or oil-based colors onto the block using stencils. The block was then rubbed and pressed onto the paper with as much hand pressure as possible to produce the three-dimensional effect. Maki always printed his works in large editions, believing that prints should be available and affordable for ordinary people.ProvenanceMr. and Mrs. Feliz Juda, Los Angeles

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