Gyotaku workshop

What is Gyotaku?

Gyo = fish Taku = rubbing

is a traditional Japanese art form that was developed in the mid 1800’s during the Edo period. It is believed to have started as a way of recording a fisherman’s catch before the camera was widely available.

Paint or ink is applied to the body of a real fish. Paper is then placed on the fish and by lightly rubbing the back of the paper, the paint is transferred from the fish’s body to the paper giving the artist an exact image of the subject. The eye is painted in after and the image is pasted to more layers of rice paper to make it flat and more sturdy. Backgrounds, shells or seaweed, are added before or during the mounting process. A seal or red chop made from stone, of the artists name is often used when signing the art work.

Important

- No experience necessary
- 6 yr and up (with supervision)
- All materials provided: Washi (paper), Sumi ink or paint, brushes, real fish.

About the Instructor

Paula Nishikawara is an international artist based in Canada and Japan. Paula engages in an experiential based art practise with themes of memory, history, culture and language.

She often uses traditional Japanese techniques and materials; reinterpreting or redesigning to fit a new discourse in a new time. Her work is an antithesis in an increasingly digital world as images are created in real time, using tangible materials and the body, in location, often with others, creating life and more memories.

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Host or Publisher Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre