Beautiful Monsters

For STARS project of 2021, I will be creating a few prints using the etching technique. The works' subject will be inspired by the Japanese art style and the mythical creatures called Yokai. Yokai is a term used to describe supernatural figures found in Japanese folklore. These beasts range from things like Kappa, a human model with turtle-like features, to Tengu - humans with bird attributes. What also drew me to this subject is the way these creatures are illustrated. Traditional Japanese images show these creatures in monstrous forms and disfigure parts that are considered human; however, the figures are also quite elegant in the way they are designed and rendered.

There are several reasons I decided to use the etching process for this project. The first is that etching gives a sketch-like feeling, yet it has a polished finish. Etching also allows the creation of a rich black tone, while producing a parchment-like texture in the background. Finally, the use of etching pays respect to the Japanese Ukiyo-e process of woodblock printing. Even though I'm not using wood, my approach requires creation of an inked plate that will be transferred to paper.

For the STARS exhibition, I have designed a Yokai like image. The artists that provide much of my inspiration are  Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Toriyama Sekien, and Takato Yamamoto. While Kuniyoshi and Sekien were known for their Ukiyo-e prints, Yamamoto style blends both Ukiyo-e and western gothic works to create dark and beautiful images.