Yasu Shibata

Yasu Shibata is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Art, Cooper Union, where he has taught relief printing since 1998. He specializes in Japanese woodcut techniques, particularly ukiyo-e and reduction woodcut methods, which he combines in his artwork to create layered, intensely colored pieces.

Education:

• B.F.A., Kyoto Seika University (studied under Akira Kurosaki)

Professional Experience:

• Worked at Tyler Graphics (1991–2001), producing prints for artists like Frank Stella and David Salle.
• Currently at Pace Editions, focusing on ukiyo-e woodcut techniques for contemporary artists such as Chuck Close and Yoshitomo Nara.

Teaching:

• Adjunct Professor at Cooper Union's School of Art.
• Conducted Japanese woodcut workshops at Montclair State University and Long Island University.

Artistic Practice:

Shibata's works, such as 9 Planets (2017) and Kasumi (2022), exemplify his technical mastery of traditional and reduction woodcut techniques. His art explores color intensity through layered pigment shapes, blending Japanese and Western influences.

Awards and Grants:

No specific awards or grants are mentioned in the provided information.

Labs/Teams:

Associated with Pace Editions, collaborating on limited edition prints. His practice is primarily individual but involves close partnerships with contemporary artists.