REI YUKI

Rei Yuki (1928-2003) is a distinguished figure within the Japanese Sosaku Hanga movement who remains enigmatic despite his international acclaim as a sosaku hanga artist. Collaborating notably with renowned artist Yoshida Toshi on the influential work "Japanese Printmaking, A Handbook of Traditional & Modern Techniques" in 1966, Yuki's artistic legacy has transcended borders. With his creations featured in esteemed museums like the British Museum, Carnegie Museum of Art, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others, Yuki's prints evoke a unique realm that blurs the lines between reality and imagination.

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Born as Uemura Noria in Tokyo, Yuki embarked on his artistic journey after graduating from Athenee-Francais, Tokyo, and honing his mokuhan (woodblock printing) skills under Shinagawa Takumi's tutelage. His debut exhibition in 1954 marked the commencement of a prolific career, with his involvement in international competitions further cementing his artistic prowess. His prints, described as "delicate fantasies," evoke landscapes born from the recesses of the mind, where light and shadow interplay to create an enduring sense of suspended time. A true exponent of self-expression, Yuki's own words reveal his automatic approach to crafting lines that give life to emotions and conceptions. His co-authorship of the definitive printmaking guide with Toshi Yoshida, coupled with his consistent presence at prestigious events like the CWAJ print shows, solidified Yuki Rei's standing as a remarkable force in the world of art. His passing in 2003 marked the end of a remarkable artistic journey that left an indelible mark on the world of sosaku hanga.