Haku Maki (1924-2000)

Haku Maki, originally Tadaaki Maejima, was a prominent abstract woodblock printmaker of the 20th century, from Asomachi in the Ibaraki Prefecture. Serving in World War II prior to transitioning to a career as a high school teacher in 1950, Maki's artistic journey began during this period when he started producing his innovative mixed media prints. He gained recognition as a member of the Japan Print Association in 1958 and continued to exhibit his prints at prestigious venues like the College Women's Association of Japan print show from 1970 onwards.

Maki's distinctive printing technique involved initially carving woodblocks, followed by the application of cement around the carved areas. After the cement dried, he would re-carve over the original lines, resulting in the profound embossing characteristic of his works. Initially focused on abstracted Chinese characters, Maki later expanded his subject matter to include depictions of ceramics and persimmons. Post-1960, he introduced spots of colour into his compositions, further enriching his visual language. Revered as a master of modern Japanese abstract printmaking, Haku Maki's artistic legacy endures through his prints housed in esteemed collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art New York, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the British Museum.

Portrait of the artist Haku Maki