In this exhibition, the works presented are based on Patricia Curtan’s drawings and prints, which Kado reinterprets as karakami patterns and renders through woodblock printing.
Curtan’s delicate observations of plants and birds, together with Kado’s karakami techniques carried forward through tradition, form the foundation of this encounter. From this dialogue emerge karakami works, along with folding screens, posters, boxes, notebooks, cards, and more.
The two artists developed their collaboration through the exchange of works, extensive correspondence by email, and Kado’s visit to California, gradually sharing their ideas and creative contexts while aligning the direction of their practice. This special project was realised through that sustained dialogue.
We invite you to experience this body of work, in which printmaking is transformed into karakami patterns.
“Ko Kado is an extraordinary artist and craftsman who is carrying on the traditional karakami woodblock process, hand carving and printing his subtle designs on exquisite papers. Our mutual friend, Sonya Park, suggested that we might like to collaborate on a project. I sent Kado-san some of my prints in hopes that he might find something interesting. He selected two images (blackbirds on persimmon tree, and lentil plants) and adapted them to his process with beautiful results. It has been a great pleasure to learn about karakami and I am honored to be included in its traditional practice. Thank you, Sonya and Ko!”
－ Patricia Curtan
PROFILE
Kamisoe
Ko Kado specializes in the traditional craft of karakami, a decorative paper printed with wood-block stamps. Kado graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with a degree in graphic design. He worked as a freelance designer in New York before returning to Japan to join a celebrated karakami studio. He struck out on his own in 2009, opening his independent shop and studio Kamisoe in Nishijin, Kyoto. Kado develops his designs specially for individual clients, taking into consideration their purposes and needs. His designs are distinguished by a careful balance between figure and ground – between the open space of the sheet of paper and the rhythmic pattern of the stamp.
Patricia Curtan
Artist and printmaker. While studying letterpress printing, she met Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse, and went on to work there as a cook. She is currently based near San Francisco, where she continues to work with printing and printmaking at the core of her practice.
