Lines of Connection

Lines of Connection: Tomihari and the Busselton–Sugito Sister City Friendship

Selected works from the City of Busselton Art Collection by Hiroshi Tomahari

21 May - 1 July 2025

The woodblock prints displayed here are by Hiroshi Tomihari (born 1936), a distinguished Japanese printmaker celebrated for his contributions to modern mokuhanga (woodblock printing). Born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Tomihari studied at Ibaraki University and began his artistic career in the 1960s. He quickly gained international recognition for his innovative approach to the traditional Japanese print, blending subtle colour gradations with simplified forms to create serene, abstracted landscapes and still lifes. His work is characterised by its quiet strength, meditative quality, and refined craftsmanship.

Tomihari’s prints are included in major collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. He has exhibited extensively in Europe, the United States, and Asia, and was selected to represent Japan in international print biennales.

These prints have been gifted to the City of Busselton as part of a cultural exchange through the Sister City relationship with Sugito, Japan. Established in 1996, the Busselton–Sugito partnership fosters global friendship through student exchanges, civic visits, and shared artistic and cultural experiences.

Tomihari’s prints in Busselton not only reflect the richness of Japanese printmaking traditions but also serve as a symbol of cross-cultural connection—celebrating the enduring ties of peace, understanding, and creativity between our two communities.

For enquiries, please visit the Old Courthouse Complex, 4 Queen Street, Busselton or ring us on 9751 4651 during office hours.