Sale 213 Lot 151

CLIFTON KARHU
American / Japanese, 1927–2007
Arashiyama Villa, 1983
woodblock
Limited edition woodblock numbered 21 of an edition of 100. Pencil numbered, titled, signed and dated at base. Framed. Not examined out of frame.
Sight (as matted): 16.5 x 12.75 inches; frame: 22.75 x 18.75 inches
$300-400

ARTIST PROFILE: Clifton Karhu (1927–2007) was a celebrated American artist of Finnish heritage who became a legendary figure in the Japanese art scene, often described by local media as "more Japanese than a Japanese" due to his profound devotion to traditional culture. After serving in the U.S. military and returning to Japan as a Lutheran missionary, Karhu eventually settled in Kyoto and Kanazawa, where he transitioned from oil painting to ukiyo-e inspired woodblock printing in the early 1960s. He gained international renown for his bold, contemporary landscapes that utilized traditional Japanese methods but featured saturated colors and thick, blocky line art influenced by colorist Stanton MacDonald-Wright. As the first foreign member of the Japan Print Association, Karhu’s work bridged cultural divides, appearing in diverse venues ranging from geisha houses and subway stations to prestigious institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Despite criticism from the Japanese avant-garde who viewed his representational style as regressive, Karhu remained a fierce defender of tradition, ultimately achieving celebrity status and leaving a legacy that redefined and reinvigorated the ancient technique of woodblock printing for a modern audience.