Kazuo Hamasaki

Kazuo Hamasaki was a Canadian artist of Japanese heritage who was once president of the Society of Canadian Artists. He was known for combining both Canadian and Japanese watercolour techniques.[1]

Hamasaki was influenced by the 16th century Japanese Nangan school of painting, which he combined with his Canadian heritage. Janet Bonellie, in her piece "Reflection" in Artmagazine 7, states that Hamasaki's work combines strict technical work with the use of a free and direct emotional style.[2] Hamasaki was trained in methods of the Josui Kai Nanga Society which gave him the artistic name "Shin Sen", even though he had never having been to Japan. Hamasaki, along with his family, was interned during the Second World War in British Columbia, Canada. In the posthumous exhibition "Play Misty For Me: The Paintings of Kazuo Hamasaki at the Woodstock Art Gallery", guest curator Bryce Kanbara commented on Hamasaki's work, stating that by combining his internment experience with his paintings gave his work historical significance. "Those are the aspects that make his works interesting and separates it from a Japanese show".[3] His work is especially known for the "sumi-e" style of landscapes showing lifting or falling mist or close ups of flowers and leaves.[4] His work is still actively found at auctions in Canada.