井堂雅夫

The creation of MASAO IDO’s works that began with dye techniques was widely developed by encountering woodblock prints.
As HIROSHIGE and HOKUSAI used to be, Masao IDO has also been a painter publishing an overwhelming number of artworks with carvers and printers.
That's because he naturally sees that passing on wonderful techniques inspired worldwide artists to subsequent generation is also a part of his role.
The woodblock print which was imported from China bloomed into the Japanese own development with water, trees, grasses under its climate. Also, the sensitivity of Japanese people and their superb craftsmanship helped creating some original materials and tools, such as blocks and Japanese paper.
Masao Ido makes excellent use of traditional techniques of multicolor woodblock prints and creates his work with IDO GREEN: his original green color to express beautiful seasons in artworks that cherished light and shadow.
With dozens of color woodblocks are carved, his artworks are finally completed by printing them on handcrafted Japanese paper dozens of times. It is different from paintings by brushes and gratifies, and it fulfills people with peace.

The MASAO IDO’s starting point as an artist occurred when he jumped in the world of dye fabric in Kyoto.
Painting dye on silk clothes is by manipulating brushes freely, to create active lines with stain and light-brush-stroke, which also expressive chamfer. The skills he gained at this point got to be the starting line for Masao Ido as a painter.
The paintings with earthenware in black ink, watercolor, and acrylic. Directly drawing on materials such as Japanese paper, cloth, tree, and block, helps his creation to release from restriction of “blocks” in woodblock prints, and the expression of Masao Ido that drawing freely is getting wider more than ever.
There are some series in his artworks. One of his series,「The universe」set its theme as “life” and it expresses imagery. Another series called「Modern RINPA」capture Japanese natural beauty through own variety of designs. Moreover, there is the abstract painting; these artworks show a different world from woodblock prints.
Especially, the artwork made by acrylics on silk clothes is his favorite method. It comes from his background he learned the technique of dye fabric.
He is serious about creation and can’t wait too long to dry after he painted. Acrylics is fast-dry, which matches his style.