Haku Maki (1924-2000) was a Japanese artist and printmaker active during the latter half of the 20th century. Haku Maki was born in Aso-machi Prefecture as Maejima Tadaaki. He first made his name and living by producing art prints that featured Chinese characters, or kanji. Haku Maki renamed himself to showcase his humility and self-styled confusion. His name, translated literally, means “white roll.”
Haku Maki’s work was organized in a particular way–often corresponding to sets of books and collections. The items in the O’Neill School’s collection are described as numbered poems / visual interpretations of old Japanese poems.
Maki was also known for his embossed prints (which you will notice on the two O’Neill School pieces) as well as his affinity for marking with a dash of color after the paper was pulled off the press.
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