Rhizome 1969

Hiroyuki Tajima created ‘Rhizome’ as a woodcut print in 1969, within the context of post-war Japanese art. The cultural landscape was shifting, with artists exploring new forms of expression while grappling with the legacy of war and rapid modernization. Tajima’s work departs from traditional representation. It embraces abstraction to convey deeper, more elusive emotional experiences. The textured surface and organic shapes evoke a sense of growth and interconnectedness. The title references the philosophical concept of the rhizome, emphasizing non-hierarchical networks and the absence of a central root. There's a palpable tension in the print between control and chaos. This resonates with broader themes of identity in a rapidly changing society. Tajima’s prints invite us to contemplate the complexities of our own interconnectedness. The artwork emphasizes how we navigate the tension between individuality and belonging, and how we find harmony within the intricate systems that shape our world.