“Ukiyo-e prints are like a window on a fascinating Japanese world that was closed to the west for centuries,” says Carol Dorman, partner at Stuart Jackson Gallery on West Queen West. “Ukioy-e translates as ‘floating world,’ which reflected the ephemeral subject matter of the prints.”
Prints dating from the late 1600s and for the following 200 years depict scenes of nature, beautiful women, erotica, legends, history and stars of the Kabuki theatre. “I haven’t been to Japan and of course the floating world doesn’t exist now,” says Carol. “But one day I will go.”
Founder of the gallery, Stuart Jackson has been to Japan several times but interestingly, the two experts do most of their business with customers outside the country. “Stuart founded the gallery in 1974 in Yorkville and we moved into our new space in 2013,” says Carol. “Most of our dealings are in Europe and North America as that’s where the majority of the prints amassed. It wasn't until the 1970s that the art form started to be appreciated in a new light in Japan.”
