Details

Hagiwara's works from the 1950s are totems of abstract expressionism that swept through the contemporary art world at the time. Hagiwara created several designs in that vein but developed a unique voice. While the American abstract expressionist school choose to focus on the artist and the gesturing of the artistic process, Hagiwara decided to take an alternative route. Moth, 1959 focuses on natural materials used in concert with subtle printing effects. Planks of wood with distinctive woodgrain patterns were used to print bold and dark tones of blue, green, and black. A violet square pattern with shallow cut lines, suggesting movement, were used for the fragile soft wings of the moth. The design is simple, elegant, and powerful. The work is deeply contemplative and poignant in its whisper--a sharp contrast to the work Pollack or Motherwell produced at this time.  

Connoisseur's Note

Hagiwara's work from the late 1950s are among his most sought after designs, due in part to their zen-like sparse compositions and dramatic printing effects. This impression has thick applications of pigment resting on the surface of the paper. The pigments have a sheen that reflect light at various angles, providing an added layer of complexity and depth. This is the type of print that opens to another world as you look more closely.