I am Siang Eu Tan, better known as ‘Bram’, a Malaysian artist based in Paris. In 2018 I created a modern form of Japanese style woodblock printing using digital drawing techniques and 3D printing to make print-blocks instead of carving them by hand the traditional way.
This method opens up a world of possibilities to the artist and also allows many people to experience what it's like to print some of the world's most famous Japanese Ukiyo-e classics.
The traditional way of carving woodblocks by hand. Picture credit: www.tokyoweekender.com
The alternative way. This was block was 3D printed and sanded to a fine finish by hand.
Children love making art this way
Creating art is an affirmation that the future will be positive. It's an unpredictable world and there are many distractions, a way to bring the focus back to the present moment. Mixing the perfect colours and then printing them on to paper by hand can be a surprisingly calming and rewarding activity for anyone. See for yourself at one of the workshops in Paris.
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