The Great Wave Off Kanagawa

The famous painting and print by Katsushika Hokusai is the source for the NCWCA members’ six-panel collaborative. 

(Slide one) Clockwise, from top left: Joan DiStefano, Siana Smith, Renate Woodbury, Rachel Tirosh, Susan Bercu, Laura Abrams.

(Slide two) My Interpretation is the endangered sea polluted by human trash and fall-out of wars. Fishermen are not pictured because they are extinct. I faithfully copied the original image on the 24-inch square panel to which I glued and tacked found materials: bubble wrap, plastic & metal toys/objects, rubber gloves, face mask lining, sponges, artificial leaves, tulle, bullet cases.

(Slide three) Hokusai’s initial art was created in 1830. It used the new Prussian blue pigment. This woodcut (from his painting) from the 36 Views of Mount Fuji, represents the vulnerability of Japan. Enormous claw like waves threaten to engulf the three fishing boats and the sacred Fuji. Japan emerged after 200 years of self-isolation with Hokusai thrust into the world's limelight with this series. His daughter, Katsushika Oi, (also known as Kurara and Oie) likely contributed to his art since she lived with him until he died at age 91. She was an active force who also created her own brilliant art in the highly productive workshop. The fascinating docudrama, “Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter” (2017), is an inside look at the art studio and Japan.