This artwork titled "Heron Moon" c.1990, is a color woodblock print on paper by noted Canadian/Japanese artist Suezan Aikins, b.1952. It is signed, titled and numbered 58/150 in pencil by the artist. The artwork (image) size is 8.5 x 21 inches, framed size is 15.75 x 28.25 inches. Custom framed in a silver metal frame, with double off white matting. It is in excellent condition, the frame have some small minor rubs, barely visible.
About the artwork:
This artwork required have 5 different carved wood blocks and 9 layers of colors to complete.
About the artist:
Born in Montreal in 1952, Suezan was influenced early in her life by the works of modern Japanese woodblock printmakers which hung throughout her parents’ home. She attended the Fine Arts programme at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick (1969 - 1971), The Ontario College of Art (1971-73), L’ ecole du Musee des Beaux Arts (1974), Nova Scotia College of Art and Design -BFA (1975) as well as a very intensive year of study with Toshi Yoshida in Tokyo (1984-85).
She has exhibited extensively in both public and private galleries throughout North America and Japan. Recent exhibitions include solo shows in Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, and Boston with group exhibitions at the Wenniger Gallery, Boston, Royal Canadian Academy in Toronto and the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa.
Her paintings and woodblock prints are found in many collections such as The Canada Council Art Bank, The Nickle Art Museum, The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, The Royal Bank of Canada, Prince Takamanonamiya Norihito, the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, The Thomas Moore Institute as well as private collections.
Suezan Aikins was awarded the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant in 1983, Nova Scotia Department of Culture - Development Grants in 1980, 1987 and 1988. She was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Art in 1990 and received the Canadian Progress Club- Women of Excellence Award for Culture in 1993. Her work has been featured in a number of television documentaries as well as many Canadian magazines.
STUDIES:
Yoshida Woodblock Print Studio Tokyo, 84-85
Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax, 74-75 BFA
Ecole du Musee des Beaux Arts, Montreal, 74
Ontario College of Art, Toronto, 71-73
Mt. Allison University, 69-72
SELECTED SOLO SHOWS:
25 Year Retrospective of Woodblock Prints traveled to three Public Galleries in Germany: Dornum Castle; Tollhousverein, Leer; Rastede Palace, Oldenberg 2000-2001 color catalog and reviews.
Private Exhibitions, Falmouth, Mass., July 1996; Montreal, November 1996; Gibson Island, Md., April 1999.
Gold Paintings and Woodblock Retrospective, travelling: Kabutoya Gallery, Tokyo; Genkan Gallery, Tokyo American Club; Blue Nile Gallery, Osaka; Kanda's Gallery BOQ, Okinawa; May 1994 (color catalogue)
Edo Gallery, Boston, November 1992, Private Exhibitions, Chatham, Mass, July 1992, Toronto, Oct. 1991
New Paintings and Woodblocks Kabutoya Gallery, Tokyo, May 1991, and also in 1987.
Japanese Garden and Pavilion Foundation, Montreal, September 1990, Ownens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University 1988
Zwickers Gallery, Halifax, NS, 1979; Gallery 78; Fredericton, November, 1983; Robertson Galleries, Ottawa, November, 1982
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS:
"A New Leaf" 30 foot instalation of mixed media/ goldleaf reliefs, Artsplace, Annapolis Royal, N.S., 2000 color catalog
"Far and Wide" Juried Bienials, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; 1996 to '99, travelling, catalogs
"Moku Hanga Travelling Exhibition:
Contemporary Japanese Woodcuts...