GYOTAKU
Pronounced: gee-o-tah- ku Japanese for fish (guo) and rubbing or impression (taku) Traditional form of Japanese fish printing dating from the mid 1800’s It was used as a way to record ones fish catch by fisherman who wanted to produce proof of their specimens in the days before cameras. I guess you could say that even way back then to a fisherman your catch is just a fish story unless you can produce a picture. Over the years the technique used in the preparation of the fish and the rubbing has become a fine art.
It has been a learning curve, a study involving time and trial and error to produce fish prints that are equal to the beauty of different specimens in the image of natures work For me the fish are giving their life to art. They are all real fish that I or friends of mine have caught. This gives it an added layer of feeling and personalizes it for me even further. I guess that you might say that these fish become special in that they will live on as a testimony of their existence in time and place.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I (Gail Boucher ) was born and brought up in Casco Bay Maine. I was the daughter of a lobestermen. Ever since I was a little girl I have been involved with and interested in fish, fishing, and sea critters. As an adult I am a charter boat captain out of Newburyport Massachusetts. When I was in art school ( Montserrat College Of Art in Beverly Mass. ) in 2005 one of my teachers asked me if I had ever looked into the Japanese art of fish printing. I had not. I did. Ever since, I have tried to learn about Gyotaku and perfect my skills in this art form.
E-mail bouchergail@comcast.net
Mailing address
Gail Boucher
18 Russell Terr.
Newburyport Ma. 01950
Telephone 978 462-7417
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