Biography:

In 1963, when he was well beyond school age, Tanaka started his career under Furuno-sensei. What lured Tanaka into the arts was the medium: etching. Unlike many of his peers, Tanaka knew what he wanted to depict: the world in which he came from and lived and in particular where man and nature combined. His minutely accurate etchings focus on thatched-roof farmhouses and threadlike tree branches that are quickly disappearing from the Japanese landscape. Human figures play almost no part in Tanaka’s works, but they are implied at every turn. Their absence, along with his color selection of umber, black, greenish gray tones provide a sense of quiet and distance. What grabbed Tanaka as an artist also grabs us: the use of etching to bring life and spirit to a place of habitation – a place that we may call our own.

Chronology:

1933 – Born in Takatsuki City, Osaka

1963 – Studied etching with Professor Furuno Yoshio

1966 – Started exhibiting with JPA and became a regular member in 1973

1967 to present – Intermittent solo shows, Yamada Gallery, Kyoto

1971 – Kansai Kokugakai show, New Talent Prize

1971, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1999 – Solo show, Yoseido Gallery, Toyko

1972 – Kokugakai show, Top Prize

1974, 1977 – Solo show, Hendricks Gallery, Maryland

1979 – Traveling exhibition of modern Japanese prints, Peking and Shanghai

1980, 1987, 1997 – Solo show, Azuma Gallery, Wahsington

1984 to present – Solo show, Gilbert Luber Gallery, Pennsylvania

1987 to present – Solo show, Tolman Collection

1990 – Group show, Retretti Are Centre, Finland

1992 – Traveling solo show, Azuma Gallery, Washington; Verne Collection, Ohio

1992, 1997 – Solo show, Ren Brown Collection, California

1998 – Solo show, Nantenso Gallery, Kobe

2000 – Solo show, Art Shop Ezoshi, Kyoto

Collections:

  • Fogg Museum, Harvard University
  • Archenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts
  • Cincinnati Art Museum
  • Boston Museum of Fine Arts
  • Cleveland Museum
  • Singapore National Museum
  • Joseph H. Hirshorn collection
  • International Graphic Art Society in New York
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
  • Honolulu Academy of Art
  • Museum of Japanese Culture, Florida
  • Portland Museum of Art
  • David Rockefeller Collection