'Gyotaku: Salmon of the Olympic Peninsula' by Cody Hagen
Visit the Tateuchi Community Room during the months of March and April to see 'Gyotaku: Salmon of the Olympic Peninsula' by Port Angeles based Gyotaku artist, Cody Hagen.
Beginning in the 1800s, Gyotaku, translated directly as "fish printing", was initially developed as a way for a fisherman to document their catch by coating one side of the fish with traditional Sumi ink and pressing it onto mulberry paper. Over time, this practice evolved into an art form of its own.
About the artist:
The concept behind my work is to blend the traditional Japanese printing technique with the endemic and migratory Salmonoids and other fish species that I believe capture the culture and spirit of the Olympic Peninsula. My goal is to create work that transports the viewer to the unique environment of my home.
The simplistic yet bold contrast of the sumi ink on the mulberry paper and the over 150-year-old Japanese tradition of catching, printing, and preparing each fish for a meal speaks to me. I feel that the art of Gyotaku effortlessly captures the unique landscape we live in in Port Angeles. I’ve been studying and talking to Gyotaku masters, asking them questions about their craft, and exploring the art form while progressing my own unique style.
I grew up in a home that straddles the foothills of the Olympic National Park and the Elwha River watershed. Growing up in Port Angeles, WA, my connection to the wilderness and belief that preserving our wild places is critical.
Self-taught, and asking technique questions to Gyotaku masters to help develop my craft. Through this, I’ve developed my own style that honors tradition while celebrating the unique environment of the Olympic Peninsula.
These prints aim to transport you to the rivers, shores, and forests of this special place—inviting you to feel its quiet power and fragile beauty.
