Ray Morimura Japanese woodcut artist

Ray Morimura was born 1948 Tokyo and studied at the Tokyo Gakugei University.

He began his career as a painter using abstract, geometric forms. Later he turned to woodblock printing. The use of geometric forms can still be found in the artist’s print designs.

Ray’s work concentrates predominantly on the landscape which allows more structural freedom in the composition. He chooses not to sketch from nature because he is not aiming to reproduce the landscape as it is, instead he concentrates on pattern, form, colour, shape and texture as his guides.

A typical edition size for Ray Morimura prints is 60. I like the way in which he shows detail and the repetition of pattern in his work, gives it a signature style.

Ray Morimura currently works as an art teacher at Tokyo Zokei University and Nihon Kogakuin school. Looking through these I’m reminded of 1920’s and 1930’s textiles, Art Deco and even similar dramatic elements like the work of Eyvind Earle. It would be rude to leave without a little cherry blossom, lol, amazing woodcuts.