This is a stunning large original woodcut. It was made by the Scottish artist, John Houston (1930 - 2008).
Houston was born in Buckhaven in Fife in 1930 and trained at Edinburgh College of Art. He then taught at the College from 1948 until 1954 and held the post of Deputy Head of the School of Drawing and Painting from 1955 until 1989.
In 1957 he helped start the 57 Gallery in Edinburgh, exhibiting there with his first solo show in 1958. He was later honoured with a major retrospective celebrating his life and work at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 2005.
He was married to the celebrated Scottish artist Elizabeth Blackadder (1931 - 2021). Houston had lifelong love of travel which began with a trip to Italy, alongside lifelong friend Michie, after they graduated from the ECA. In 1955, he returned to Edinburgh to join the teaching staff at the college, where he remained until his retirement.
This very controlled image shows a Japanese Zen Garden at Kyoto being drenched by a sudden downpour of rain. These gardens are very minimalistic. They often feature very few plants, possibly some moss or small pruned shrubs. Gravel or sand is carefully raked into patterns to symbolize water and the rocks are natural elements like mountains of island. The garden is a place where you would experience few distractions and to contemplate the natural world at peace.
Houston has taken great delight in carving out all the intricate lines making up the busy composition. Houston made his first of three visits to Japan in 1986. His travels to Japan with his wife fostered a special creative partnership and inspired their work and home life. They built a Japanese-style garden and tea house at their home in Edinburgh.
It is interesting that his wife, Elizabeth Blackadder made a similar Kyoto Garden artwork some three years later. I have one of these also on offer in my website.
This fine print by Houston was published by the Glasgow Print Studio in 1989 and it is in good original ready to hang condition. It is printed on a full sheet with its deckled edges showing in a floating mount. It has been framed in London and comes in a heavy frame with thick white wood moulding and has plexiglass.
It is signed and inscribed with the title and numbered 18 out of a very low edition run of only 30 prints. It is signed in pencil on the lower margin,
The image size is 42 x 58 cm. The sheet size is 56 x 76 cm. The frame size is 62 x 81 cm. The depth of the moulding is 4 cm.
My print is in excellent condition and has a fresh ivory-white window mount and simple black frame (as photographed) - ready to hang straight on your wall.
UK Postage will be with Parcelforce24 with full insurance. This will be applied to your order at the checkout. The postage reflects that the print and its chunky frame are heavy - and also includes full insurance against loss or damage in transit.
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