Artwork Description
Sister White Fox Letterpress Print by Yumiko Kayukawa Limited Edition on MEDIUM Graffiti Street Pop Artwork.
2024 Signed & Numbered Hand Deckled Limited Edition of 40 Artwork Size 8 x 10 in. 2-Color Letter Press on Hand-Deckled Coventry Rag Paper Letterpress Print
Yumiko Kayukawa Sister White Fox Letterpress Print 2024
The 2024 Sister White Fox letterpress print by Japanese-born, Seattle-based artist Yumiko Kayukawa exemplifies her refined blend of traditional Japanese iconography, contemporary illustration, and the bold graphic sensibility associated with Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Produced as a signed and numbered limited edition of 40, this 8 x 10 inch print is executed in two-color letterpress on hand-deckled Coventry Rag paper, giving each piece a tactile, crafted presence. The soft emboss of letterpress printing heightens Kayukawa’s signature balance of elegance and contrast, further enhancing the print’s collectible appeal.
Imagery Rooted in Myth and Modernity
The composition features a serene female figure adorned with a fox mask, accompanied by a live white fox perched at her shoulder. Rendered in crisp black linework with accents of vivid red, the artwork evokes the Japanese folklore of the kitsune — mystical foxes known for intelligence, shapeshifting, and spiritual guidance. The woman’s poised expression and flowing hair intertwine with stylized cloud forms and cherry blossoms, symbols that echo both tradition and rebirth. Kayukawa’s minimal but deliberate use of red punctuates the composition with emotional intensity, drawing attention to the mask’s markings, the woman’s lips, and the subtle cords tying the scene together.
Technique and Material Detail
Printed on hand-deckled Coventry Rag, the piece carries the textured sophistication of fine art paper often used in high-end printmaking. The letterpress technique sinks the ink slightly into the fibers, producing a soft relief that complements Kayukawa’s clean, controlled linework. This method emphasizes the interplay of negative space and form, a hallmark of her visual language. The intimate scale reinforces the personal, almost devotional quality of the imagery, inviting close viewing to appreciate the subtle precision of the print.
Yumiko Kayukawa’s Artistic Voice
Born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1970, Yumiko Kayukawa has built a significant international following through her harmonious fusion of pop culture, anime-influenced stylization, and traditional Japanese motifs. Now working from Seattle, she continues to explore themes of femininity, independence, nature, and mythology through bold contrasts and emotionally charged symbolism. Sister White Fox reflects her ability to draw from centuries-old stories while shaping them into contemporary expressions of identity and strength. Within the sphere of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, Kayukawa’s prints stand apart for their narrative clarity and cultural resonance, offering viewers an encounter with myth reimagined for a modern world.
