吉田秀司 HIDESHI YOSHIDA (1968-PRESENT)

Artist Biography:

Contemporary Japanese Printmaking - Hideshi Yoshida.

Hideshi Yoshida’s art is a portal to parallel universes. Meticulously crafted and rich with narrative storytelling, Yoshida’s intricately detailed surrealist woodblock prints and wood engravings transport viewers into fantastical realms. Carved from a selection of Shina, Box, and Lemonwoods, and printed on a combination of Kozo and Gampi papers, Yoshida's work ranges from charmingly enchanting animal illustration to imagery inspired by literary giants like H.P. Lovecraft, Lewis Carroll, and Robert Louis Stevenson. At the heart of Yoshida’s themes of work however, lies his most acclaimed creation - his Sci-Fi universe of Agnahuecom-Land and FROSKEY Inc..

The World & Works of Yoshida’s Agnahuecom-Land & FROSKEY Inc.

A fantastical realm where the laws of physics are malleable and magic is as commonplace as technology, Hideshi Yoshida’s Agnahuecom-Land is a world teeming with magicians, dragons, talking animals, and cursed beings. Initially ruled by the forces of nature and ancient magic, humans have risen in power as they unlock the secrets of science, becoming one of the most dominant species. However, Agnahuecom-Land is not a figment of Yoshida’s imagination. These landscapes are not dreamt up, but seen by him—visualisations of a parallel world to which Yoshida has an unstable, unpredictable connection.

You might think his works stem from creative fantasy, but Yoshida insists that most of them—aside from those inspired by literature, music, or film—are direct depictions of Agnahuecom-Land. His connection to this world occurs at random moments, perhaps when he’s washing his face, in casual conversation, or just before sleep. These visions appear with startling clarity, overlaid on the real world. At times, the boundaries blur so much that Yoshida cannot distinguish between the two worlds. He sees it as his mission to introduce viewers to this nearby parallel universe and invite them to explore its wonders.

At the heart of Yoshida’s Sci-Fi world lies FROSKEY Inc., a mega-corporation symbolising human achievement. FROSKEY Inc. is not just a company but a force that has triggered a technological revolution, with its reach extending into space aviation, energy, robotics, biotechnology, military weapons, and automobiles. A revolution sparked by the discovery of Rabbitanium - a rare, powerful element found on the moon - Rabbitanium’s ability to fuel nuclear fusion and be harnessed wirelessly without radiation has made it the cornerstone of FROSKEY’s dominance. Powering innovations like the FusioNeo System, a compact nuclear fusion reactor that fuels homes and vehicles with unparalleled efficiency, FROSKEY’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology & science has made it a symbol of progress.

Through his meticulously crafted prints, Yoshida adds layers of storytelling to Agnahuecom-Land and FROSKEY Inc., inviting us to journey through his Sci-Fi utopia. Each piece offers hidden details and new narratives with every viewing, continuously sparking our imagination. His art challenges us to question what it means to live in a world where science and magic coexist, and where powerful corporations like FROSKEY Inc. can reshape both reality and society.

Exhibitions and Growing Acclaim.

Hideshi Yoshida’s realms of fantasy & acclaimed works which immerse us into his Sci-Fi world of Agnahuecom-Land & FROSKEY Inc. are establishing him as a uniquely sought-after visionary in Japanese contemporary printmaking. Born in Hokkaido and now based in Tokyo, Yoshida has been regularly exhibiting his work in both solo and group exhibitions since graduating from the 美学校木口木版工房 Bigakko Woodblock Print Studio in 1987 & then furthering from the Department of English at Teikyo University in 1991. Represented by the prestigious Yoseido Gallery in Tokyo, Yoshida's influence in the world of modern & contemporary Japanese art continues to grow, with his work held in esteemed European collections such as the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in Poland and the St. Nikolai Municipal Museum in Belgium. Lambsquay Gallery is delighted to welcome Hideshi Yoshida & proudly support his rising acclaim & role shaping contemporary Japanese printmaking.