Catalog (284)

[Note: Daniel Tretiak wrote this in 2012.] This work is now 5 years old. I set forth the main aspects of the works of Haku Maki, the main themes of his work, the main aspects of his style, and the broad range of his works. I think I did not realize in 2007 the range and versatility of his work, its drama and subtlety. Since this book was published I have written 9 research notes and many descriptions of key works. Amazon and Ren Brown Collection distribute this book. rbc4art@renbrown.com

This old blue carpet is small and is an accent to almost any space.

Poem S B. This small and unpretentious print was a sleeper. Whoever sold it knew not what he had. Indeed neither did I until well after it came here to Beijing. It is a very rare 1968 Maki print. Not 1967 and not 1969. It has the kanji for Rope in the center and that is placed on a subtle but firmly done kanji for STONE - but the kanji is in there ass backwards. The correct rendering is in image 5. Mysteries abound.I have never seen the sub-title SB in a Maki print. I do not know what it means. We have seen FP but not SB. This is a rare image: the numbering 1/50 suggests this was the first image of the run--but it could have been the only one. Did Maki only do one? The paper that was ordered by Maki came from a paper maker he knew who prepared paper for him. (I do not know who he was.) The paper had the distinctive “moon surface” Maki used countless times in his prints. Note this is fairly early Maki: he employs only one splash. In frane 5 I show how Maki would have done the Stone kanji if he were not being cute: straight up (as made in Beijing). Size: 21.5 x 21.5cm.

This Maki print has had a charmed existence. It was printed in Japan in the mid-70s, just as Maki was beginning to leave the production of prints with kanji as the main theme and start doing then with Ceramics, mainly in the Collection series. This is the second print of his long ceramics series – some of which were simply entitled as this is with the year 75-59. This was done in 1975 and was a quite large edition 201. This one is number 5 of 201.The print was first distributed by Red Lantern Gallery in Kyoto. Whoever bought it made sure it would survive a long time. It was framed and matted by the best framer of the day in Tokyo, Kato. It stayed in Japan from framing until being sold recently at an auction in Tokyo. The print shows a dramatic mustard yellow vase in the center and a nice red persimmon off to the left. In the Maki style of seeing balance: to the right is a signature in white and the Maki seal. Maki used this white ink squiggle about a dozen times in the 70s. The leaves of the persimmon are tipped with a Japanese lacquer to make them glisten as in the autumn light. The print is dramatic and calm. It has finished traveling for a while. It now resides in Beijing next to other Maki prints. It is a kind of reunion for all. Frame 8 shows the original Red Lantern catalogue with this image.

From 1969 to 1974 Haku Maki produced about 15 Big Red prints and some Big Blue and Green. This one,Poem 71-52, was done in 1971. It depicts the kanji for Power. This striking image slices through the black background from top to bottom in a two-stroke movement. In the classic Maki mode, the core image is set off by a black sun at the left and a small blue moon under it; on the other side there is a yellow splash. The regular Maki seal is used; also he used a white ink seal to add color and verve. The red kanji pierces through the dark of the background from top to bottom in a whoosh. This print was restored by Michael Minckler of Oregon. Translation Advisor: Sanae Nakajima Chambers. Size: 19.5 x 12.5 inches.

This scroll depicts the evolution of the Chinese character for dragon, from its current traditional form at the top to centuries-old and ancient forms below. The abbreviated character in use today in China is 龙 .

glistening and amgry L 13 cm w 10 5.5

This is a root carving shaped to resemble a qilin, which is a Chinese mythological creature.

China old wooden frog toggle xx

In 1981 Haku Maki suddenly produced a modest series of prints with a vinyl (old leather)-like background. I have already written about several of these in my Research Note 8. Now I present another: a striking orange red persimmon with leaves tipped with a special Japanese lacquer and the background in vinyl. This is 81-31 and it is 175/190.

In 1968 Haku Maki produced this large Blue image of Child. The blue is vivid and the yellow face is in sharp contrast. To the far right is a small Green Child, the same theme, different key color. It appeared in 1969. The red image is a trial run for a Festive Wine print. It never made it. The translators of Festive Wine or Anne Brannen nixed it and used a different Child image, the fifth frame. It might appear that the block used to produce all thee was the same; however, the Blue image is considerably larger than that used for the red and green ones. Blue one is Poem 68-53 12.26" x 16.25"

China old toggle -- two pea pods very good condition

figure Figure 1 is a dark and brooding big red just received so dark even out of frame and matte maki s first big red appeared in 1963 this is an abstract rendering of the kanji for woman she seems to be standing there swaying ever so slowly this print has a good green blue sun at the upper left Here no splashes yet to add color figure 3 figure 3 here figure 4 alsom here

China old Jumping frog toggle xx

china kanggui low table wood and marble xx

This Guest Research Note 1 is much ado about Nothing. The Maki print in question is 73-50A (Nothing). The essay is by David Bieling.

In the early 1980s Haku Maki produced this unusual print, Poem 3. It has a kanji bottom margin (Mountain and Water) and is only slightly embossed. It is as if he started to do a lithograph and then decided to emboss it a bit. It is a modest-size print and not spectacular. By the time he did this print Maki had finished with embossed kanji and ceramics and was heading toward less compelling work.Poem 3 has a gold sun right center, but the print has no drama and no oomph. 15x15cm.

This print is 13 inches wide x 20 75 tall. it is a spectacular Big Blue. The kanji reads words to the effect Give an inch, take a mile. Maki produced this print in 1971. It is number30 of 105.