This imaginative etching by Yuji Hiratsuka features two mirrored female figures rendered in his signature blend of contemporary stylization and traditional Japanese visual language. Each figure holds an illustrated book, while symbolic motifs—a diamond, fantastical birds, and floral elements—float around them. The rich color palette, subtle texturing, and chine-collé surfaces give the work a luminous, intimate quality.
Hiratsuka’s prints are admired for their refined craftsmanship, expressive line, and the gentle surrealism that runs through his portraiture. Diamonds, Always and Forever exemplifies his exploration of identity, beauty, and quiet humor, making it a standout piece for collectors of contemporary printmaking.
About the Artist:
Yuji Hiratsuka (b. 1954, Osaka, Japan) is internationally recognized for his complex intaglio techniques and distinctive figurative style. His works are held in major museum collections including The British Museum, The Library of Congress, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Portland Art Museum, and many others. He has exhibited extensively in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Hiratsuka’s graphic work has been exhibited in the Americas, Europe and Asia. He has received numerous awards in international competitions. During the last four years he has had 14 solo shows in the United States, and international solo shows in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, Munich, Germany and Geneva, Switzerland.
Partial list of public collections:
The British Museum, UK
Tokyo Central Museum, Japan
Panstwowe Museum, Poland
The House of Humor and Satire, Bulgaria
Cincinnati Art Museum, OH
Jundt Art Museum, WA
The Portland Art Museum, OR.