From Sea to Paper: The Gyotaku Prints of Dwight Hwang

California based artist Dwight Hwang (Korean American, b. 1974) creates classical Japanese Gyotaku art and European nature printing. Pushing the boundaries of traditional Gyotaku, a process by which an artist makes a print using real fish, Hwang incorporates other organic forms such as plants, birds, and even people, into his stunningly lifelike prints. He incorporates his appreciation of simplicity and fleeting moments, acquired during his time living in Japan, to emphasize the beauty of imperfect subjects.

Hwang has partnered with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and outdoor clothing company Patagonia. His work has been exhibited in museums such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, displayed in hospitality such as the Four Seasons Resorts, and showcased in publications including Forbes.

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Image: Dwight Hwang, Color Gyotaku of Octopus, 2023. Gyotaku acrylic print on Japanese washi paper.