Taro Takizawa debuts first solo exhibition at the Mary S. Bryd Gallery of Art

By TaKeyah Flanagan | Staff writer

The Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art, located in Washington Hall, hosted a reception for "Skipping The Splash: works by Taro Takizawa” on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Takizawa said his exhibition’s title and themes were inspired by news about climate change and other environmental issues.

"I'm trying to deliver a message to remind people that our world is fragile and to conserve it and take care of it," Takizawa said.

Takizawa, assistant professor of art at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, interprets patterns found in nature through his artwork. Takizawa uses printmaking to capture the details and patterns found in the natural world, and he encourages his audience to think about the environment around them.

“It’s also great for us as well as the students to be able to see other artists outside of the Augusta area,” Cindy Epps, a professor in Augusta University’s Department of Art, said.

For Takizawa, his work is also a way to encourage other artists to consider how they can use their creativity to make a difference.

"I want people to kind of think about it once in a while, like, think about what you can do if you're an artist, think about how you can contribute," Takizawa said.

As visitors entered the gallery, refreshments were served while students, faculty and other attendees mingled and the artist.

As the gallery filled, Takizawa formally addressed the audience and discussed his work, including the processes, techniques and journey behind his pieces.

Allyssa Mclaire, an Augusta University art major, joined faculty and students in listening to Takizawa share his work and artistic journey.

“It was interesting that he took so much of his inspiration from the environment he grew up in,” Mclaire said.

Takizawa combines traditional printmaking processes with contemporary approaches. He uses sumi ink, a traditional Japanese ink, to create his art. His process also consists of taking photographs, uploading them to photoshop and applying halftone and other techniques depending on the piece.

Takizawa’s prints on display at the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art. (photo by Takeyah Flanagan/the Bell Ringer)

“It was super cool to hear how he got into it and especially how he was didn’t like it at first because there were so many steps to be involved and it took a while to get the hang of,” Mclaire said.

Takizawa also experiments with other techniques and mediums. One piece in the exhibition incorporates paper folding, creating a work that moves between two- and three-dimensional forms.

"There was a piece that was two-dimensional and also three-dimensional, I thought it was really cool he continued to challenge those and try to create those forms of depth, just within print making,” Mclaire said.

Takizawa also shared his love of working with his hands, particularly with clay. For him, the hands-on process of shaping and working with the material is intertwined with the creation of his pieces.

“I think hearing that he likes to get his hands dirty, and if he wasn’t a print maker he would be a ceramicist is something I feel like I relate to a lot,” Mclaire said.

Epps was also drawn to Takizawa’s techniques and visual style.

“I love his use of color and pattern and the repetition and the colors are soothing,” Epps said.

The exhibition features pieces with a range of colors, patterns and textures. Near the gallery entrance, colorful works combine multiple patterns, and two pieces incorporate paper folding into pyramid-like forms. The works attracted the attention of many visitors throughout the reception.

On another wall, a series of 10 monochromatic prints features lines, diamond shapes, curves and textile-like patterns.

“Honestly the black and white ones really speak to me, the movement and line work in those and just how the interactions of the marks really speak to me,” Epps explained.

After Takizawa concluded his talk, students and faculty continued excitedly exploring the exhibition, discussing the artwork with one another and Takizawa.

Exhibitions featuring visiting artists give students an opportunity to engage with the art world, make connections, ask questions, and even gives them the opportunity to network.

Takizawa's' artworks are currently on display and will be until Oct. 2, 2026.

Contact Takeyah Flanagan at taflanagan@augusta.edu.