In Praise of Trees

This reprint of In Praise of Trees by internationally acclaimed artist Naoko Matsubara coincides with her exhibitions at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, River Bank Gallery, Niagara on-the-Lake, and her major solo show at the Art Gallery of Ontario, opening July 19, 2025. Originally published in 1984, this 90-page volume features 38 original woodcuts and poetry by renowned international writers, edited by Peter Heyworth. A limited edition included a signed, numbered woodcut by Matsubara. Matsubara’s fascination with trees stems from her childhood in Kyoto, where sacred groves influenced her. Her work animates trees with a mysterious, powerful presence, challenging and inspiring viewers. ＂ Matsubara sees the spiritual and physical qualities of wood ... Her attention to detail and mastery in printmaking create the illusion of trees rustling and showcase her skill as a woodcut artist.＂ -- Daniel J. Kushner

NAOKO MATSUBARA has had 80 major art exhibitions over the span of her prolific artistic career in the USA, Canada, Japan, England, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, and Mexico. Her work is held in major public institutions worldwide, including the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Smithsonian Institute, Washington; the Art Institute of Chicago; the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, and many others. On July 19th, 2025, her one-woman show will open at the Art Gallery of Ontario, in Toronto. She lives in Oakville, Ontario.