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Sawai, Noboru
Funeral Obsèques
1973 1973

In his prints, Noboru Sawai combines Western and Eastern techniques and subject-matter, reclaiming known images and re-presenting them in a way that provokes a response in the viewer. Sawai was born in Japan, but has lived in Canada since 1971. In his work he frequently uses the Japanese colour woodcut technique and the Western technique of engraving within a single work. He works from known imagery, often erotic, and juxtaposes subjects that speak to certain historical cultural values. In Funeral, Sawai makes reference to Gustave Courbet’s celebrated Funeral at Ornans of 1849. In the clouds, above the village funeral procession he includes an image of the union of the Hindu god Krishna and his human consort Radha. Sawai’s works, while not pronouncing judgenment, investigate differing ways in which life, specifically sexuality, and death are approached in the East and the West.

Sawai, Noboru
Takamatsu, Japan 1931-Vancouver BC 2016 Takamatsu, Japan 1931-Vancouver BC 2016
Funeral Obsèques
1973 1973
etching, woodcut on paper 100/100 Eau-forte et gravure sur bois, 100/100
height / width: 53.60 x 67.70 cm; 21.10 x 26.65 in.
Gift of the artist, 1985 Don de l'artiste, 1985
28-183

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