Fish As Art
Posted By: Liz Goodrich
Date Posted: 4/15/2004
Bend artist Annie O’mohondro will lead two workshops in the art of gyotaku at the Bend Public Library on Wednesday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m. and again at the Sunriver Area Public Library on Sunday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. The workshops are part of the Novel Idea: Read Together community reading project and Riverfest 2004. The workshops are free and open to the public, but class size is limited to 12. Sign ups are required. Call 312-1032 for more information.
Gyotaku, an ancient Japanese art form, can be translated as “fish impression.” The art form began as a way for fishermen to record images of their prize catches before the invention of the camera. The freshly caught fish were slathered in ink and then pressed to rice paper, leaving behind a detailed image of the fish, captured for posterity.
Over the centuries, gyotaku has evolved into a popular art form and although the basic elements of fish and ink haven’t changed, artists like O’mohondro have refined the process, using modern materials. For example, O’mohondro has replaced the fresh fish with rubber models. She catches her own fish from local rivers and reservoirs and makes the models in her studio. “The rubber models are more user friendly,” says O’mohondro. “Real fish have better scale definition, but the models are easier to work with.” O’mohondro’s workshops will include a brief history of gyotaku and then a hands on opportunity for participants to create their own print.
For more information about this or other library programs, please call 312-1032.
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