On the Act of Printmaking
Printmaking is so fun to me. I have never gotten tired of it. I would like to put into words why printmaking continues to captivate me so much.
Long ago, in the early days of science, there was a concept known as the phlogiston theory. Observing that objects turn to ash when burned, people of that era theorized that matter was composed of ash combined with a substance called phlogiston—the source of fire. While modern science offers a different explanation, I believe they needed this theory to make sense of the phenomenon where ash remains after burning. I am very fond of this story. Humans are often drawn to things they don't understand, and in an effort to comprehend them, they devise their own logic. By comparing that logic with the reality before them, refining it bit by bit, and sometimes rebuilding it from the ground up, they deepen their understanding. To me, this process is very similar to printmaking. In other words, I see printmaking as a means of understanding "matters that are intriguing yet enigmatic." I draw what sparks my interest, look at the printed image, adjust the composition if it feels off, and print again. When the work is finally finished, I feel I have gained a slightly better understanding of that mysterious thing.
At a solo exhibition a few years ago, I displayed my early works alongside my newest creations at the time. Since there was nearly a 30-year gap between them, I expected the current works to show significant progress. However, once they were actually exhibited, I was surprised to find that the difference wasn't as great as I had imagined. It reminded me that at our core, we humans do not change so easily. Looking back at my work from the past to the present, I feel that my personal stance toward creation has changed more than the works themselves. In the past, I thought what I created was the most important thing, as if I were searching for a specific destination. Now, I feel that how I think and what results from that process is more significant. I create by posing a question, setting a framework for thought, and letting the image move naturally, testing where I will eventually end up.
It is while feeling these small internal fluctuations that I continue to create my prints.
Naoji Ishiyama