HAMADA Chimei

(Japan 1917– )

Title

A corner

Place of origin

Japan

Period

Shôwa period 1926 - 1988 → Japan

Year

1956

Media category

Materials used

etching and aquatint

Edition

4/50

Dimensions

22.2 x 14.9cm image; 36.4 x 27.3cm sheet

Signature & date

Signed l.r., pencil, inscribed "Chimei Hamada". Not dated.

Credit

Purchased 1995

Accession number

506.1995

Copyright

Location

Not on display

Further information

Among the postwar Japanese print artists, few share the distinct style and sentiment of Hamada's art. Hamada is unique among Japanese print artists in his graphic depictions of the grim realities of war and tragedy. He is probably best known for his series 'Elegy of raw recruits' which was based on his own experience as a soldier, and in which he bitterly exposed the inhuman aspects of the army. The series won the second prize at the Lugarno International Print Exhibition in 1956.

Hamada graduated from the oil painting course at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. After WWII Hamada began to study etching under Komai Tetsuro and Sekino Jun'ichiro, two of the best known artists working in copperplate techniques. Unlike the works of his two teachers, which are usually serene, his works are disturbing, delving into the dark side of the human psyche and society. After completing the 'Elegy of raw recruits' series, he responded to the particular postwar political developments, namely the resurgence of nationalism and power in wrong hands. His more recent works depict the alienation of human beings from society which controls them.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 1995.

Bibliography (2)

AJIOKA, Hanga: Japanese creative prints 2000, '1930s-1950s: Consolidation of Hanga and the individualists', pg. 70-98, Sydney, 2000, 76 (colour illus.), 99, 109. cat.no. 4.5

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 'Contemporary prints', Domain, 2003, 288 (colour illus.).

Exhibition history (2)

Hanga: Japanese creative prints, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 28 Oct 2000–07 Jan 2001

From this place, Cowra Art Gallery, Cowra, 01 Aug 2004–12 Sep 2004