Nana Shiomi
Nana Shiomi studied in Japan and took an MA in Printmaking at the Royal College of Art. Nana Shiomi's theme is Art about Culture or Art about Art. After a period of re-examining Western culture in the early nineties, she has now moved on to a consideration of her own Japanese culture. Shiomi often makes reference to masterpieces from the Japanese ukiyo-e tradition in her own work. Hundred Views of MITATE Series now reached on No.78, and the series will finish its full complement of 100 prints in 2009. This series contains 100 icons which are profoundly relevant to Japanese Culture. All the symbols are juxtaposed equally. MITATE is a key Japanese concept of analogy between disparate objects, and Shiomi uses it here to allow the viewer a wide choice of possible meanings and free associations. As a Japanese Woodcut Printmaker, using natural materials such as wood, paper and water is a fundamental aspect of her work.
