The Unfinished Print : A Mokuhanga Podcast

When it comes to immersing oneself in the understanding of mokuhanga, Jacek Machowski is dedicated to constantly deepening his knowledge and practice of the art form. His exploration of mokuhanga is both inspiring and dynamic, as he continually shares, creates, and evolves his expertise and approach to this wonderful art form. I speak with mokuhanga printmaker, educator, and mokuhanga explorer Jacek Machowski. Jacek's work is a blend of experimentation, tradition, and excitement. We discuss his journey into mokuhanga, his deep dive into its history, techniques, and philosophies, and how he has dedicated himself to uncovering the intricacies of the art...

For those who are regular listeners of The Unfinished Print, you will know that I had the privilege of visiting the city of Echizen in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, where I attended the 2024 Mokuhanga Conference earlier this year. Echizen is renowned for its long history of paper production, supplying paper to the entire country. In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Nicholas Cladis, Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Iowa Center. Having lived and studied paper in Japan and around the world, Nicholas and I discuss the elements of Japanese paper, known as...

Mokuhanga can be approached in many ways. For some, a hands-on approach is the most appealing, as it places full responsibility on the artist to carefully craft each step—designing, carving by hand, and printing—to achieve the best possible result. However, other mokuhanga artists take a more experimental route, where the possibilities are limitless, and innovation leads to unique outcomes. On this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with printmaker Mike Lyon, who has been creating mokuhanga for nearly 30 years. We delve into his philosophy on mokuhanga, his innovative use of a CNC machine in printmaking, and his...

When developing a business centered around Japanese prints, there are many factors to consider: the audience, the history, and how you want to be perceived by the public. The appeal of the Japanese aesthetic, along with your own personal aesthetic and brand identity, can also be just as important to your business. On this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Malene Wagner, a gallerist, curator, writer, and art historian whose business operates under the name Tiger Tanuki. Malene shares her passion for collecting and selling Japanese prints, and we explore the European perspective on Japanese prints...

The journey of an artist is a winding one. You make the decision to start, not knowing where it will take you. Over time, if you're fortunate, you build a career from your work while gaining the freedom to explore new forms of expression, with each project becoming an important and affirming part of that journey. In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Mariko Jesse, a professional illustrator who has integrated mokuhanga into her artistic practice. Mariko draws inspiration from her life experiences, sharing insights on her family and travels. We discuss how living in San Francisco...

When embarking on your mokuhanga journey, whether through making or collecting, one name stands out above the rest: (pause) Yoshida. The Yoshida family of artists have helped create some of the most important and exciting mokuhanga prints of the last 100 years. Their designs, techniques, and marketing transformed the perception of prints in Japan and around the world. I speak with Dr. Monika Hinkel, Lecturer in the Arts of East Asia at SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies) at the University of London and an Academic Member of the Japan Research Centre. Dr. Hinkel is also the curator of...

Mokuhanga becomes a part of those who open themselves to its possibilities. It draws you in as an art form, with its seeming simplicity, and guides you on a profound journey of exploration. One of the strengths of mokuhanga as a practice is its ability to harmonize with other artistic and academic endeavors, enriching one's life in many ways. On this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with William Mathie, a teacher and relief printmaker based in Pennsylvania. We discuss Bill's discovery of mokuhanga in the 1980s and how his academic and artistic journey in printmaking evolved, leading him...

Mokuhanga is an art form of the physical. It is the use of our hands which carve, brush, and print, ultimately creating the final product. Through the physical act of making, mokuhanga carvers and printmakers explore themselves through their work, while at the same time producing a philosophy on how they see their own mokuhanga and the mokuhanga community at large. On this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with printmaker Andy Farkas. Andy is an American mokuhanga printmaker, mentor, and teacher who has explored in great detail what it means to create, the philosophies and...

Mokuhanga has the ability to take the artist or craftsperson anywhere they would like to be. From the subject matter in their studio to physical movement around the world, teaching, exploring, and discovering. Wonder and beauty is what makes mokuhanga so special. In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with printmaker Jacqueline Gribbin, who has spent years honing her craft in mokuhanga and other printmaking techniques across Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia. We discuss her deep connection with Indigenous communities, collaborating with the late Ralph Kiggell, and exploring the nuances of water-based and oil-based mokuhanga. Jaqueline explains her...

Mokuhanga today can be made in so many ways. So many inspirations, so many people creating beautiful pieces from all over the world. Coming to you from Obihiro, Hokkaido, I have been traveling around Japan for over a month. Coming back to Japan is always an inspiring act and it is already like a second home to me. What brought me back to Japan this time around was the 2024 International Mokuhanga Conference held in Echizen City, Fukui, Japan. Meeting with so many mokuhanga artists, carvers, and printers inspired me and makes me want to be...

When creating mokuhanga, one requires time – time to prepare, time to plan, and time to explore. The essence of the work emerges from this delicate balance of managing one's time and integrating life within mokuhanga. In this episode of 'The Unfinished Print,' I have the pleasure of speaking with printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho. Wuon-Gean approaches her mokuhanga with a keen focus on work-life balance, emphasizing creation not at the expense of life but as a means to enrich and enhance it. Join me as we delve into Wuon Gean's unique perspective on mokuhanga, how it skillfully blends with her other pr...

Several years ago, a book caught my eye, called "Lu Xun's Legacy". Published by the Muban Educational Trust, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of woodblock art in China and located in London, England, it opened my eyes to Chinese woodblock prints. Reading the book, I realized how little I knew about printmaking, woodblock or otherwise, from China. All I really knew was that Japanese woodblock has roots within Chinese printmaking and I was curious as to how that transpired. Today, I speak with Senior Research Fellow at the Muban Educational Trust, David Barker. David's interests lie...

Embarking on the journey into the world of mokuhanga, each of us starts with a unique desire. It begins with early prints, guided by exploration, and the innate desire to create something—anything—all viewed through the prism of mokuhanga, shaping our voices in this captivating journey. In this episode of the Unfinished Print, I speak with the burgeoning mokuhanga printmaker Jack Moranetz. We discuss how he got involved in the art form, his early prints, his visit to Japan and meeting David Bull, collaborations, and how he approaches his printmaking. Please follow The Unfinished Print and...

On this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Hiroki Morinoue, an artist who resides and creates on the Big Island in Hawai'i. Together, we delve into his personal journey with mokuhanga, reflecting on his experiences at MI Lab, exploring his unique color palette, and gaining insights into his meticulous process in crafting mokuhanga prints. Additionally, we uncover Hiroki's life in Hawai'i, his ventures, and his relationships with prominent galleries such as Studio 7 Fine Arts, print studio's like Shark's Ink, and the arts center at Anderson Ranch. Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on...

In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Henry Smith, Professor Emeritus in the Dept. of East Asian Languages & Cultures at Columbia University. Together we delve into the scientific aspects of Meiji woodblock prints, exploring the trajectory of Nishiki-e during the late Edo and Meiji eras. Additionally, we examine the significance of cochineal and naphthol dyes, and scrutinize particle sizes. Henry's scholarly contributions include groundbreaking articles on subjects such as Hokusai and the Blue Revolution, with the introduction of Prussian Blue to the Japanese woodblock aesthetic during the mid to late Edo Period. Join me...

When it comes to the idea of longevity, my guest on this episode of The Unfinished Print has just that: the hard work and sacrifice to make a career in making mokuhanga, bringing the art form to people worldwide. Today I speak with mokuhanga printmaker, graphic designer, and writer, Tuula Moilanen. Currently living in Finland, Tuula has made mokuhanga for almost 40 years and has been an essential part of the worldwide mokuhanga community, teaching, instructing and overseeing the art form's growth. Tuula speaks about her twenty years in Japan, her teachers, and how she views her mokuhanga. We discuss creating...

It's been said before, yet I feel it's worth repeating that when making mokuhanga, you don't make it alone. So many people influence us that it may be difficult to pinpoint who or what impacts our creative lives the most.    In this episode of the Unfinished Print I speak with mokuhanga printmaker Hellory. Based in Italy, Hellory makes multi-colour mokuhanga with luxury techniques. She learned these techniques from her mentor, Giovanni Berio Ligustro.  We discuss the intertwined artistic lives of Hellory and Ligustro. What learning from a mentor was like, what studying and assisting her teacher did for her work, and...

As a collector of mokuhanga, I am constantly exploring the reasons behind my love of collecting mokuhanga and why I make it and educate myself about it; it seems to be layered, even for my modest collection. So it is always fascinating to speak to someone who has been collecting for many years, with a deep understanding of why they collect and how they do. I speak with mokuhanga collector Darrel C. Karl about his collection of prints, paintings and scrolls. It's one to admire. Collecting for years now, Darrel was kind enough to speak to me about his collection...

A few years ago, I was recommended a book called Evolving Techniques in Japanese Woodblock Prints. Written by Gaston Petit, it was a new book for me. Going through it, I realized how forward-thinking it was; even though it had been published in 1977, its instruction is still relevant today. It was fascinating how it approached woodblock printmaking, taking it into the future.    On this episode of the Unfinished Print, I speak with printmaker and author of Evolving Techniques In Japanese Woodblock Prints, Gaston Petit. We discuss how he got to write the book, interviewing some exceptional printmakers of the time, an...

When making mokuhanga and producing The Unfinished Print, I have looked towards various online tools for research and inspiration. One of these tools is ukiyo-e.org. A Japanese woodblock print database which collects and archives woodblock print collections from around the world. John Resig is the chief software architect at the Khan Academy who, in 2013, for his love of mokuhanga and the Japanese woodblock print, and through his own collection, developed ukiyo-e.org. Those researching, collecting, and making mokuhanga can explore some of the best Japanese print collections at the click of a button. In...