Gyotaku: A Deep Dive

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDT

About the Event:

Join us to learn about the traditional Japanese art of gyotaku. Gyo (fish) taku (to press or rub) is a method of fish printing in which real fish (and other sea creatures) are used as a printing plate. Professional gyotaku artist, Nate Garrett, will be discussing the origins of gyotaku, first as a form of record keeping, and its evolution into a modern day art form exploring three different methods and five distinct styles.

Along the way, we will also touch on Japanese sumi ink and paper making as well as traditional and modern tools of the trade. Nate will share his perspective on why gyotaku has relevance and importance in our modern world. Following the presentation there will be a live demonstration of the art form.

This is a free 1 hour and 30 minute long presentation with Q&A hosted on Zoom. 

About The Speaker:

Maine-based artist Nate Garrett's work is grounded in the tradition of gyotaku, or Japanese fish printing, and draws upon traditional and experimental subjects and printmaking techniques. Nate is interested in capturing the flora and fauna of his home state of Maine with this unique artform while also building upon and stretching the bounds of classical gyotaku to include other nontraditional subject matter. 

In October of 2023 Nate appeared on the TV Tokyo network introducing Japanese audiences to his style of gyotaku. His work hung as part of a 2023 exhibition at the Hall of Awa Japanese Paper Museum in Tokushima Japan. Starting in June 2024 a collection of Nate's work will hang at the Maine Maritime Museum in celebration of the 30 year anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Bath, Maine and Tsugaru, Japan.

Nate is a commissioned & licensed artist and a sought after speaker and presenter. He has taught workshops and given presentations at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Acadia National Park, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Maine State Aquarium and Maine College of Art and Design.

Website: BigFishGyotaku.com

Instagram: @BigFishGyotaku 

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