2024 Hiroko Imada at Watts as a part of Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 - 1895

19 March - 6 October 2024, Watts Gallery in Guilford

Demonstrating the enduring influence of this historic process, Edo Pop exhibition features new work by artist Hiroko Imada. Step into the world of Japanese woodblock printing and experience a new site-specific installation in the Sculpture Gallery by Imada.

Imada's work, titled 桜咲く Sakura saku ('Cherry blossoms are blooming'), celebrates the natural themes in the 19th-century prints in Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 - 1895. Sakura saku is a phrase commonly used in Japan to celebrate the exam season coming to an end.

The installation demonstrates the enduring influence of the historic process of Japanese woodblock printing. Born in Tokyo (modern-day Edo), Imada brings her international exhibition experience to this showcase, having exhibited at the British Museum and Coventry Cathedral with her captivating creations.

Watts Gallery also commissioned Imada to create a print to make a film of the printing process to show the way each colour added separately to create the overall design. The film, the step by step prints with final version of print, and carved blocks displayed at Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 - 1895 exhibition.

2024 Hiroko Imada Hana-dayori (arrival of cherry blossom season) - Woodblock Printing Process