Dance of the Brushes
Japanese ink art, according to the traditional style.
Two artists letting their brushes dance across the paper.
JAPANESE INK ART & CULTURE
Edo 江戸
Edo was the name of the current Japanese capital Tokyo until 1868.
What was first (in 1547) a small fishing village, grew in size from the beginning of the 17th century. From 1603 to 1867 it was the seat of the Tokugawa Shogun, in practice the country's ruler. The Emperor at the time was effectively powerless and stayed in his court in Kyoto.
In 1721, Edo was the largest city in Japan with a population of over one million.
After many years, when the Emperor's power increased again, Edo was renamed Tokyo (= capital in the east). It formally became the capital of Japan in 1868.
Ancient Edo consisted mainly of wood and paper construction. Houses and other buildings were positioned close together with narrow passageways and roads. The city was often severely damaged by fire due to its architectural style and the materials used. In 1657, one of the largest fires in history destroyed much of the city. This Great Fire of Meireki killed about a third of the population. Grote brand van Meireki, kostte aan ongeveer een derde van de bevolking het leven.
Ukiyo-e 浮世絵
Ukiyo-e prints from ancient Edo are very vulnerable because of the paper on which they are printed, the techniques applied and the inks/tinctures used. Organic colorants are made from plants and therefore very sensitive to humidity. They can fade quite quickly, while inorganic pigments darken over time or cause brown spots. Overexposure is another source of damage, which is irreversible. It is the reason why Ukiyo-e originals are either rarely displayed or have since perished.
A lot of study material is still available by reprinting any woodblocks that are still available, or simply by digital print.
The meaning of the term Ukiyo-e has changed over time. It originally had the meaning of the transient, fleeting character of reality. Although this meaning never completely disappeared, the term increasingly referred to a lifestyle. In everyday life, a restless search for the fleeting joys of life. For that reason, Ukiyo-e has long been connected to the meaning of a “dangerous life.”
Ukiyo-e is truly characterized by the simplicity of its representation. The artist captures the moment and tries to portray it in such a way that the scene becomes touchable.
Ink Drawings 図面
The original pieces for this collection have been created as much as possible in a format that best approximates the original Ukiyo-e formats. A variety of paper types and weights were used. Sharon and Norbèrt follow the old masters, also by applying omissions. This creates simplicity.
LEARNING TO SEE IN A DIFFERENT WAY, FROM THE BEAUTY WE EXPERIENCE WITHIN, WE CAN OBSERVE AND UNDERSTAND BETTER. THAT IS THE TRUE UKIYO-E THOUGHT OF CAPTURING THE MOMENT.
Ink インク
The prints were made using Japanese ink. as a base (black) and added to it, original Ukiyo-e inks and various international inks, including around 35% of our own composite colours. The Ukiyo-e style is also found there. A number of the ink colors have their origins in the use of flowers, plants, nuts and other natural products.
Japanese ink art cannot reach full growth if there is no connection between the soul and the Universe. Sharon and Norbèrt are connected to nature, learn to communicate with the material every day and let the brushes dance over the paper.
Brushes みがきます
The ink artist uses different brushes. There is a difference in preference. This collection is made, mainly using natural materials.
The prints are made with brushes of various types of nest hair. Sable hair, wolf hair, squirrel hair and badger hair, among others, have been used. The brushes have the original 'Ukiyo-e brush shape'.
The brush is the artist's beloved partner. The position and location, but also the moisture absorption of the brush, makes it a unique tool. The brushes are rinsed several times in advance and brought into contact with water. In this way the hairs open and the capillaries are improved.
Voordat het penseel in inkt geplaatst wordt ‘slaat de kunstenaar’ het vocht eruit en laat het penseel zich elegant vormen. Nu wordt het penseel het verlengstuk van de ziel en kan de dans over het papier beginnen.
Paper 紙
The ink artist loves paper. One type is not enough and neither one size only. The supply of material is endless and every week the artist is on a tour to get to know even more paper. Sharon and Norbèrt are now known to paper traders. Whether it is the art shops, the standard paper suppliers or the paper factory, they are honored with regular visits.
Each type of paper behaves differently and allows a top or bottom surface to react differently to the ink and the application of the brush. Formats provide space or limit it. The artist needs both to make his prints come to life.
In de Wintercollectie die we laten zien introduceren we voor het eerst de Ukiyo-e inktschilderingen op Suikerbietenpulp papier. Dit papier is uiterst duurzaam en een puur Nederlands product. Het resultaat is een verfijning van techniek en geeft de kunstenaars weer nieuwe kansen en uitdagingen. In deze expositie maakt de bezoeker kennis met papier dat voor velen nog niet eerder zichtbaar was. Een wereld apart, papier.
In our collection we are showing as well Ukiyo-e ink paintings on Sugar Beet Pulp paper. We are the only ink-painters Worldwide using this paper. It is extremely durable and a purely Dutch product from the Crown van Gelder factory. The result is a refinement of technology and gives the artists new opportunities and challenges. In our collection the visitor is introduced to paper that has not been visible to many before. A world apart, paper.
The Seal 印鑑 | 判子
The Japanese ink artist traditionally does not work with a signature, but a stamp: Inkan (印鑑) also called Hanko (判子). The stamp is the seal, which consists of the name and a symbol that the artist chooses.
It is still common in Japan for people not to sign (even on formal documents), but to use a stamp.
The ink drawing is not finished until the stamp/seal has been placed. In addition to the drawing, the description is often placed from top to bottom.
Sharon's seal shows her name and the symbol of the Eagle.
Norbèrt's seal shows his name and the symbol of the Northern Lights.