Maine Insights Newsmagazine

ROCKLAND, ME – Gallery Fukurou is holding an exhibit with the work of Takafumi Suzuki, also known also as Yohaku Yorozuya, from Tokyo, Japan. The exhibit of photographs that have been posterized in the darkroom  is called: Bibbidi-Bobidi-Boo.

“I do not have a magical wand as the character in the Cinderella movie has, but the posterization technique can transform a photograph in the darkroom giving it new magical dimensions,” said Takafumi Suzuki, photographic artist. “I hope people will feel inspired when they see my exhibit.”

Gallery Fukurou is located at 20 Main Street in Rockland. The show runs from September 12—September 27. The Gallery/Bookstore is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12 am to 5 pm.

The former professor has had multiple exhibits over his forty-four year career as a photographic artist. He is well known for his use of classic darkroom techniques spending days perfecting his images.

Posterization is a process that reduces the number of colors or tones in a photograph, replacing smooth color gradients with flat, distinct bands of solid color. It changes continuous tones like a soft sunset or skin tone into a graphic, high-contrast, retro look similar to pop-art or silk-screen prints.

Some of his images in his Twin Tower solarization series, which depict them in the 1980’s, are meant to honor their memory. Two will be exhibited in this show. He took the photographs while living in New York City for a year and a half.

Sometimes Takafumi Suzuki develops his images using salt water, following in the tradition of some of the masters. He’s used Ansel Adams’ Zone system, posterization, solarization as well as a Camera Obscura and many other methods over his carrier to perfect his art. He is a true craftsman of his art, ensuring that all his techniques are executed in the darkroom.

“We are honored to showcase the photographic art of Takafumi Suzuki from Tokyo, Japan. His sensitivity and creativity shows the world through his unique perspective. In his Bibidi-Bobidi-Boo show, using the posterization technique his photographs conjure stories for us to contemplate,” said Ramona Cornell du Houx, president of The Solon Center for Research and Publishing—the non-profit that owns Gallery Fukurou. “Cross-cultural exhibitions can deepen our understanding of the world and our home.”

Yohaku was a professor of Nihon University in Tokyo (Department of Photography, College of Art) and Assistant Dean. He worked there for 33 years. He is also the former Assistant Dean and a head professor with the University of International Fashion, in Tokyo, with branches in Osaka and Nagoya.

He is the director of The Japan Society for Arts and History of Photography, as well as a member of Kokugakai (Society of Masters of Modern Japanese Art), the Japan Society of Image Arts and Sciences and the Photographic Society of Japan. He owns Gallery Storks of Tokyo, and visits Maine yearly.

MORE ABOUT GALLERY FUKUROU: 

Gallery Fukurou means owl in Japanese as well as prosperity and health. The owl in Ancient Greece is often associated with Athena, the goddess of arts and wisdom. Fukurou is located on the border of Owls Head and Rockland, just two doors down from Primo restaurant on the way to Rockland.

With the proximity to Owls Head, which got its name from sailors in 1759 who thought a tall local rock cliff jutting into the water looked like the head of an owl, and the meaning of the owl in different cultures, the gallery’s name, Fukurou, came to be.

Fukurou represents Maine artists, and fosters cross-cultural connections with Japanese artists and others. We host exhibits, book signings, have lectures, workshops and other events. Our books have themes of long-term intrinsic value and are published through our Solon Center Research and Publishing arm, Polar Bear & Company. There are over 80 book titles available.

The Solon Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Maine Public Benefit Corporation that helps build community in Maine and beyond through educational, literary, scientific and artistic means, with publications, research, exhibits, events and other initiatives. We work to help the humanities flourish.

The Solon Center for Research and Publishing is also a platform where people from diverse disciplines can examine issues of cultural and environmental importance, while developing connections.

Democracy flourishes when creativity is allowed freedom of expression.