Roofs 1958

This woodblock print, Roofs, by Jun'ichiro Sekino is full of detailed patterns and tonal contrasts. I imagine the artist carving away at the wood, carefully considering each line and shape to build up this dense network of tiles. It's a whole world of textures and architectural forms. I love the way the artist zoomed in on the rooftops, creating an almost abstract composition, and the way the muted grays and browns give a sense of quietness. I wonder, did Sekino san stand on a nearby building, or did he draw from memory? What was he thinking about when he made it? It reminds me of other artists who capture urban landscapes, like Charles Burchfield, but with a distinctly Japanese sensibility. Each mark feels like a conversation with the past, as artists build upon the ideas and techniques of those who came before. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing dialogue, always evolving and changing.