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Fun for both adults and children! The world of 'stylish woodblock prints' you'll find in Sapporo: 'In sync with the relaxed atmosphere of a cafe'
The first solo exhibition by woodblock print artist wahee, titled "Wahee Woodblock Print Exhibition 'waheexhibition,'" is currently being held at the popular Cafe RawLife in Sapporo's Minami Ward. Wahee's woodblock prints depict familiar motifs with a stylish sense of form. The venue features 15 new and old works, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the art in harmony with the cafe's serene atmosphere.
Works That Effectively Incorporate a Technique for Raising the Paper's Surface
Sunny Side Up, 2025
After studying graphic design at a vocational school and working for a printing company in Tokyo, wahee began creating woodblock prints as a self-taught artist around 2016, inspired by the many ukiyo-e and woodblock prints he encountered. He started by making New Year's cards and began producing work in earnest after returning to Sapporo in 2019.
Onigiri, 2025
For works accepted into the CWAJ Print Show and the Awagami International Miniature Print Exhibition, both prestigious showcases for emerging printmakers, he challenged himself by incorporating kimedashi, an ukiyo-e technique that raises the surface of the washi paper (similar to modern embossing). This technique is used effectively in Sunny Side Up and Onigiri at this exhibition, creating an eye-catching, plump texture. There is one more new piece at the venue that uses this technique (with a surprising motif!), so be sure to check it out.
Influenced by Electric Guitar Design!? The Allure of Smooth Curves
View of the exhibition in the gallery attached to the cafe
According to wahee, the smooth curves that characterize his work are "influenced by the design of electric guitars, which I've loved since I was a child." While his early motifs often featured adorable animals, in recent years his subjects have expanded to include food and people, and lately, his focus has shifted toward inorganic objects. The artwork used on the exhibition flyer was created in this vein, drawing inspiration from his love of typography and the design of drainage pipes.
The new work featured on the flyer, displayed in the cafe. Other works and woodblocks are lined up in the back.
A Relaxing Space Where the Comfort of a Cafe and Art Merge
The merchandise corner, featuring postcards (800 yen) and T-shirts (5,000 yen)
"The personality of Cafe RawLife's owner is also charming, and I thought it was a great place for my first solo exhibition because it's easy to bring children to," says wahee. "I'd be happy if people just drop by casually—from children who haven't learned about printmaking in school to those who have—and enjoy my work, thinking, 'Oh, this kind of printmaking exists.'" His art has a charm that resonates with the relaxed flow of time at Cafe RawLife, so be sure to visit and take your time to unwind.
Wahee Woodblock Print Exhibition "waheexhibition"
■ Dates: Thursday, October 16 - Monday, November 24, 2025, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
■ Venue: cafe RawLife (5-6-13-10 Fujino, Minami-ku, Sapporo)
■ Admission: Free
*As the exhibition is held inside the cafe, please place at least one order.
■ Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
**Open on November 3 (Mon), 4 (Tues), 5 (Wed), and 24 (Mon).
Click here for details and map information for the 'Wahee Woodblock Print Exhibition "waheexhibition"'
Writer Profile
Writer Nio Matsuda
While publishing a free paper called "WG" from 2007 to 2010, I have been working as a freelance writer since 2010. I am particularly fond of performing arts and fine art. I have been purchasing artworks, mainly paintings, from galleries since around 2002. I hope that my reports here will help someone discover "that one piece" for themselves.
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