Toshio Saeki — The Print House Gallery

Stuff CrushArt & Culture

That's Going to Sting in the Morning

Asian fusion erotica is food for thought...

Toshio Saeki is billed as ‘The Master of Japanese Erotica’, and who are we to argue? Well to be honest there’s not much in the way of eroticism that I can see, but it might just be me. Horses for courses and all that. Where others see the erotic, this writer sees the grimly humorous, menacing, squeamish, subversive, definitely thought-provoking, if you want to get all deep about it. But positively anti-erotic from where I’m somewhat nervously standing.

Whatever you get from Saeki’s work, it’s undeniably got something. Presenting a very modern take on Shunga (traditional Japanese erotica) merged with surrealism and comic book art, the 67-year-old uses shocking neon colours to ram home (no pun intended) his at-times-shocking scenes of sexual deviancy. He’s probably not a favourite of the feminists – the ladies seem to be coming off worst in most scenes – but this exhibition at The Print House Gallery, London, in collaboration with No Way and Ghostown, will certainly have its admirers. There is original work on sale starting at £80 if you don’t mind scandalising your dinner guests, and the event, featuring silkscreen, letterpress and original ink pieces, runs until 1st May.

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Images © Toshio Saeki, courtesy NO WAY,
in association with Ghostown