Hideo Yoshihara (1931-2007), a Hiroshima native, joined the Gutai group of experimental artists when it was founded in 1954. by Jiro Yoshihara, a distant relative of his. However, Hideo left the group the following year and joined the Demokrato Artist Association, where he was inspired to take up lithography by the group leader, printmaker Shigeru Izumi.
Yoshihara's "Sunflower" (1956) won him a place in the first International Biennial Exhibition of Prints in Tokyo in 1957, after which the artist focused on abstract works in the 1960s. Toward the end of the '60s, he started to combine lithography and copper-printmaking techniques to create unique pieces, which have since been highly acclaimed and shown in many major exhibitions; till Jan. 15.
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama; (073) 436-8690; 1-4-14 Fukiage, Wakayama; take bus bound for Wakayamaura Guchi and get off at Kencho-mae bus stop. 10-min. bus ride from JR Wakayama Station and 2-min. walk from the bus stop. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥500. Closed Mon., Dec. 29-Jan. 3, 10; open Jan. 9. www.momaw.jp.
