Skip to main content
Items Similar to Reunion - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting of Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Jeff Conroy - Congregation - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting of Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Congregation - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting of Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Jeff Conroy - Encounter - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Koi Pond on Mulberry Paper
Encounter - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Koi Pond on Mulberry Paper
Jeff Conroy - Assembly - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Koi Pond on Mulberry Paper
Assembly - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Koi Pond on Mulberry Paper
Jeff Conroy - Kikusui - Japanese Gyotaku Painting of Orange Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Kikusui - Japanese Gyotaku Painting of Orange Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Jeff Conroy - Autumn Cotilion - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Autumn Cotilion - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting on Marbled Mulberry Paper
Jeff Conroy - Koi Pond Conclave - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting on Archival Kraft Paper
Koi Pond Conclave - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting on Archival Kraft Paper
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Jeff Conroy
Reunion - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting of Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper

2024

About the Item

In Japan they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. When I began this series of Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) I studied the many varieties of Koi, each with their own unique colors and patterns. My particular favorites are the Tanchos which can be identified by the distinct red spot on their heads. To create these pieces I print common carp I catch myself with sumi ink using traditional techniques used by Japanese fisherman dating back the mid 1800's. I then tint the images using watercolor. In each piece I hope to translate a sense of movement to give the viewer a sense of calm one might experience watching the living versions lazily meandering around a serene pond. —Jeff Conroy Several Koi swim against one another in this Gyo-tako method of painting by artist Jeff Conroy. After inking and taking impressions of the koi, the artist then uses watercolors to enhance their beauty. By using marbled mulberry paper to print on, he has created the illusion of water with the swirls of the mulberry paper. The paper itself has a soft hue and slightly wavy texture adding the overall feel of the artwork. This artwork is matted and framed in a white wooden frame measuring 42.5h x 30.75w x 1d inches. Jeff Conroy Reunion, 2024 sumi ink and watercolor on mulberry paper 37h x 25w in 93.98h x 63.50w cm JEC168 Gyotaku - A Japanese word translated from "gyo" meaning fish and "taku" meaning stone impression. It is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. This form of nature printing was used by fishermen to record their catches, but has also become an art form of its own. Gyotaku is a Japanese method of printmaking that traditionally utilizes fish, sea creatures or similar subjects as printing "plates" in its process. The literal translation of the word is "fish stone rubbing" and is believed to get its inspiration from Chinese stone rubbings of calligraphy, which gave rise to printing. Gyotaku, or Japanese fish printing, was originally used to record and commemorate a fisherman's catch. Prints were made using Sumi ink and Washi paper. It is rumored that Samurai would settle fishing competitions using Gyotaku prints. This original form of Gyotaku, as a recording method for fisherman, is still utilized today, and can be seen hanging in tackle shops in Japan and Okinawa.