Nana Shiomi

Nana Shiomi (塩見奈々, born 1956) is a Japanese woodblock print artist whose abstract and semi-abstract compositions explore the organic forms and rhythms of the natural world through the mokuhanga medium. Her prints, which translate observations of water, light, vegetation, and atmospheric phenomena into flowing abstract compositions, represent a distinctive contribution to the dialogue between traditional Japanese printmaking technique and contemporary artistic expression.

Born in 1956, Shiomi studied art and printmaking in Japan before developing her practice as a mokuhanga artist. Her work demonstrates a deep understanding of the traditional woodblock printing process — the qualities of different woods for carving, the behavior of water-based pigments on handmade washi paper, the expressive possibilities of the baren — while applying these skills to compositions that move freely between representation and abstraction.

Shiomi's prints are characterized by their organic, flowing forms. Curving lines, biomorphic shapes, and rhythmic patterns suggest the movement of water, the growth of plants, the patterns of wind in grass, or the play of light through leaves, without ever resolving into literal depiction. Her color palette draws on natural hues — soft greens, blues, earth tones, and the warm yellows and pinks of sunlight and flowers — applied in translucent layers that create a sense of depth and luminosity. The overall effect is contemplative and meditative, inviting the viewer to experience the essential qualities of natural phenomena rather than merely to recognize them.

Her work has been exhibited internationally, including in major print biennales and at exhibitions organized through the International Mokuhanga Association, of which she is an active member. She has participated in workshops and residencies in Japan and abroad, contributing to the international mokuhanga community as both an artist and an advocate for the medium. Her prints are held in private and institutional collections in Japan, Europe, and North America.