Artist’s Statement

 Adrian Holmes (b.1982) is a printmaker devoted to Japanese printmaking and Sosaku hanga. He graduated from the University of Plymouth with a degree in Visual Arts. He fell in love with woodblock Japanese printmaking whilst living in Japan and he began to study the craft and its techniques. Both self-taught and working alongside Japanese woodblock artisans exploring the capabilities of the printing process, Adrian divides his time between his woodblock practice and teaching woodblock printmaking In the south west. Adrian is based at Krowji studios in Cornwall and teaches Japanese woodblock printmaking at both St Ives School of Painting and the West dean College of Arts. 

“I’m fascinated by woodblock printing. its versatility, openness and process. It’s a medium which has so many possibilities. I continue to explore this medium balancing the beautiful subtleties of this Japanese medium using a traditional approach with a contemporary style focusing on semi abstract themes of landscapes and place”

In his latest body of work, Greenhouse & Stone, Adrian Holmes brings together woodblock prints, loosely inspired by his local ramblings — both indoors and outdoors — and his novice appreciation of plants and his evolving relationship with them. The work explores shifting perspectives and viewpoints, reflecting on how these remarkable things take root around us.

Following the Sōsaku Hanga tradition, the prints embrace looseness and abstraction, shaped by the expressive and spontaneous nature of mark-making and layering. Each piece is crafted using the traditional processes and techniques of Japanese woodblock printing, balancing the rich craft tradition with contemporary interpretation.

Sōsaku Hanga (創作版画), or 'creative printmaking', is a style of Japanese woodblock printmaking that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s. It was a departure from the traditional ukiyo-e (woodblock prints of the Edo period), in which different craftsmen specialised in different stages of the printmaking process (design, carving, and printing).In contrast, Sōsaku Hanga emphasises the artist's direct involvement in every stage of the process — from designing and carving the woodblocks to printing the final image. This style allowed artists greater creative freedom and encouraged a more personal, expressive approach to printmaking. The prints often reflect modern themes, abstract elements, and innovative uses of texture and colour.

All woodblock prints are available for purchase upon request. Please contact Adrian directly through the contact page to enquire about sales or please contact the listed galleries below.

Based @ Krowji Studio


A Selection of my prints are available at the following galleries: