Debordering: woodcut printmaking practice in inter-Asian context

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Notes

1 This essay is first written for the exhibition “Debordering: Woodcut Printmaking Practice in Inter-Asian Context,” held by The Graduate School of Global Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, at the Chinretsukan Gallery, Tokyo University of the Arts (Ueno Campus), from 28 April to 8 May 2023.

2 Exhibitions on woodcut practices emerged in the recent years include Blaze Carved in Darkness: Woodcut Movements in Asia 1930s–2010s (Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, 2018), Carving Reality: Contemporary Woodcut Exchange Exhibition from East Asia (The Backroom KL, Kuala Lumpur, 2020), Communal Work—Collective Carving as Form (TheCube Project Space, Taipei, 2022), and Universality and Particularity: Woodcut Portraits in Asia (1a space, Hong Kong, 2022).

3 Examples are Taring Padi from Indonesia, Pangrok Sulap from Malaysia, A3BC from Japan, Print and Carve Department from Taiwan, Printhow from Hong Kong, Woodcut Wavement from China, East Asia Ecotopia from South Korea, Printmaking for the People from the Philippines, etc.

4 Asia is not a self-limiting concept of identity here, but an analytical framework for examination of issues dynamically. By examining the complex historical and social developments of Asian societies, the possibilities for inter-referencing and mutual dialogue are explored.

5 For the establishment of such a network, please read Kano (2022).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chun Fung Lee

Lee Chun Fung is an artist-curator based in Hong Kong. His research interests cover self-organized art practices and grassroots activism in inter-Asia context. He is the co-founder of Woofer Ten, a community/art space in Hong Kong, and research collective Inter-Asia Woodcut Mapping Group.

Krystie Ng

Krystie Ng, born in Malaysia and currently lives in Hong Kong. Her research interests include collaborative art practices, cultural activism and ethnic relationships in the post-colonial context of Southeast Asia. She is also a co-founder of the Inter-Asia Woodcut Mapping Group research collective.

Kenichiro Egami

Kenichiro Egami is a researcher based in Fukuoka, Japan. He conducts research and photo documentation on autonomous space, activism and art in East Asia. He is also a member of the alternative art space tetra in Fukuoka City. He is currently working as a project assistant at Tokyo University of the Arts.