Tom Haugomat - Yukashima, Japan

Silkscreen print, edition of 50, signed and numbered by the artist, unframed

Destination: Yakushima, Japan

Date: 25 - 29 October, 2017 

Jaunt #039

approx. 27.5"h x 19.75"w, 70cm x 50cm

“I first learned about Yakushima island in ‘Mononoke’, one of  greatest lm of the Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. Ever since I've been fascinated by this island which appeared to me as one of the most well-preserved areas on this planet and I thought that it could be the perfect place to get inspiration.

For my trip, I really wanted to escape the city life for a few days, and I was planning on doing some treks in the forests. I've been fascinated by the ancient cedar trees that live in the very heart of the Island. The forest is really dense there, and the air is so moist that foam is growing everywhere. At dawn, the fog was so thick that I couldn't see far. It wouldn’t have been surprised to meet a "Yokai" on the path in this magical atmosphere!

I sincerely enjoyed being surrounded by nature. I was actually not thinking that the place would be so wild, I learned that there are more deer living on the island than people! During my stay, the typhoon Saolo passed by the island which, I must confess, was quite impressive. Feeling the wind blowing on the house and seeing the gigantic ocean waves through the window was a sight I will never forget. "

-Tom Haugomat