Tsuruya Kokey. Modern Kabuki Engravings

As part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Tsuruya Kokay's first personal show in the United States, the exhibition will feature 77 prints of this artist, widely known as one of the leading contemporary Japanese print artists.

Known for his bold portraits of leading actors in Japan in a dynamic theatrical form, Kokey creates unique kabuki engravings from the late 18th century. In his engravings, Kokey reflects the intense color, movement, and emotions of the kabuki. Because he uses extremely delicate paper, his work combines emotionally dynamic images with fragile materials to create objects of extraordinary power.

At the exhibition "Modern Kabuki Engravings"all the engravings of Kokei from 1984 to 1993 are presented. To explore the wider contours of Kabuki acting reproductions, Kokey's works will be contextualized by reproductions of Sharaku actors, as well as by two dozen works by contemporary Japanese and Western artists.