Paul Horiuchi landscape, Medium: watercolor paper, 34 x 28 inches. Provenance: private owner from Atlanta.

Biography: It is said that collage was invented by Japanese artists over 800 years ago; some say it was perfected by Horiuchi. Described as romantic, serene, and sensitive, his collages have earned him the title "Master of Collage".Horiuchi was born on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi in Japan in 1906 and as a young man studied calligraphy, sumi painting, and watercolor under artist Iketani. He came to the United States in 1922, and moved to Seattle in 1946, where he began study with Zen Master, Takazaki. Takazaki introduced him to Mark Tobey. In 1954, Paul Horiuchi executed his first collage, a medium that would later become his hallmark.Horiuchi initially painted in oils, turning gradually to collage. He dyed sheets of handmade rice and mulberry paper with casein and other pigments, producing a palette of colors. He then tore these papers into different shapes, the frayed lacy edges contributing an aesthetic quality, and pasted them into different configurations. The abstract designs reveal an Oriental influence.Horiuchi said that his collages are "attempts to produce areas of peace and serenity with which to balance the sensationalism- the fast, hard tempo- of our time." Through his skillful use of paint and Japanese rice paper he has become a master at communicating this wish to his audience.Horiuchi enjoyed a close, long-lasting friendship with Mark Tobey. They shared an interest in Zen philosophy and Asian antiques and spent many hours together. His first major one-artist exhibit was held at the Zoe Dusanne Gallery in Seattle in 1957. This was followed in 1958 by a one-artist exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. In 1969, a retrospective exhibition was held at both the Museum of Art at the University of Oregon and the Seattle Art Museum.Horiuchi has been the recipient of many honors and awards. A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle was granted him in 1955. His works are in the collections of major museums, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, and Cambridge University, England.

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Signed [Artist Name] : In cases in which the signature is legible in the lot, this work is described as-is with no attributions given.

By [Artist Name] : The work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : The work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : The work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : The work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : A work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: A work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century: This work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Mint