Since 1995, we have invited Michel Henry to Japan and held exhibitions called Michel Henry Japan Exhibitions. Each exhibition requires about 20 to 30 pieces of work.
1 998 Galerie Asia Publisher X Michel Henry Co-produced
"Yellow Bouquet" original lithograph, limited edition with artist's autograph
Let me explain the technique of lithography.
This printing technique was invented at the end of the 18th century and became popular in Europe in the 19th century, and artists used lithography to create many masterpieces.
A sketch is made on a water-absorbent lithograph using oil-based drawing crayons, and then a roller with water is rolled over the lithograph to add moisture to the non-drawn areas. Next, a roller with oil-based colored ink is rolled over the lithograph to transfer the ink to the lithograph, and the ink is then transferred to the paper. The same process is repeated for each color used to complete the lithograph print.
Lithograph studio production scene in Paris
Production and exhibition of original lithographs by Michel Henry
If Michel Henry comes to Japan, we would like to hold an exhibition at four venues. By simple calculation, we would need 30 (20) x 4 = 80 to 120 pieces of work. It is impossible to prepare that many oil paintings.
That's where prints come in. Prints are produced in dozens or hundreds, and the artist signs each one with a limited edition number and an ID number.
In 1996, a Japanese print wholesaler contacted me, inviting me to work with him on a lithograph project for Michel Henry.
I would appreciate it if there were a variety of prints, so we decided to work together. Of course, Michel Henry would be in charge of the production in his studio in Paris, and he would sign the prints when they were completed.
1998 Galerie Adeka Publisher and Publisher x Michel Henry Collaboration "Red Flower" Original Lithograph Signed by the Artist Limited Edition
Generally, limited editions are between 200 and 250 copies. I decided to make two types of flower prints, size 6 to 8, limited to 200 copies. I thought 50 copies would be enough for me, so we agreed on 150 copies for the wholesaler and 50 copies for me.
It was completed the following year, in 1997. Naturally, at exhibitions from 1997 onwards, we exhibited original lithographs that were jointly produced by our company and Michel Henry and signed by Michel Henry himself, and these sold very well.
In 1998, his work was exhibited at the Michel Henry exhibition at Printemps Ginza.
Michel Henry and me in Japan
They were well received and the wholesaler was pleased, so the following year I produced four different types. Again, I took 50 copies and the wholesaler took 150 copies.
There was a dispute with a Japanese company.
The wholesaler had planned to produce four films each year, but then something major happened.
The year 2000 is a big year in Christian countries because it is the millennium. It is the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. The year before that was 1000 years ago, so it is a once in a thousand years celebration. It is not the time for the Olympics.
The Paris print studio that we had commissioned to produce the prints was very enthusiastic and produced and released a set of 20 prints of Michel Henry's Paris landscapes and flowers, called Michel Henry Paris 2000. Since it was the year 2000, they made prints of 20 famous places in Paris.
The Japanese wholesalers were angry. They felt that they had been betrayed by the company they had commissioned work from. Generally, a studio's job is to produce prints at the request of a publisher, so a studio cannot become a publisher. The Japanese wholesalers said they would no longer do business with Michel Henry.
1998 Galerie Adeka Publisher and Publisher x Michel Henry collaboration "Bouquet Panache" original lithograph with artist's autograph and limited edition
I understood why he was angry, and I thought the dealer should have consulted us. However, since we did not have an exclusive contract with Michel Henry, I thought he should not have been so upset. Before us, a French dealer produced other lithographs by Michel Henry. I also bought those lithographs and sold them at exhibitions.
Michel Henry is a popular author in both France and the U.S. The ways of thinking and business practices are different between Japan and France, and there are words that say what is common sense in Japan is nonsense in the rest of the world.
I like the paintings of Michel Henry, who is a master of the French art world, a popular and great artist. He is a vice president of the Salon d'Automne, a recipient of France's highest order, the Legion of Honor, and his exhibitions were attended by then-President Chirac and his wife, making him a treasured French painter.
Salon d'Automne Venue
President Chirac and Michel Henry
I was lucky enough to be able to work with Michel Henry, and that was enough for me. I have no intention of forcing Japanese logic on a French person. Also, I don't think it would be fun to get emotional, so I decided to continue working with Michel Henry without worrying about it.
1997 Galerie Adeka Publisher and Publisher x Michel Henry Collaboration "Red Ico Crico" Original Lithograph Signed by the Artist Limited Edition
The printmaking studio that produced the 20 prints for Michel Henry Paris 2000 asked me if I wanted to buy a large number of prints, but I declined. I have no intention of entering the print wholesale business, and I only need prints for exhibitions. I stopped producing lithographs after that. After that, I talked with Michel Henry and we decided to produce original silkscreen prints together.
Michel Henry was also grateful for this incident and made an exclusive contract with us to produce original silk screens. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
2004 Galerie Adeka Publisher and Publisher x Michel Henry Collaboration <Five Roses> Original Silkscreen Print Signed by the Artist Limited Edition
Michel Henry's paintings are more suitable for silkscreen printing because of their brilliant colors and beautiful texture. Lithographs can only apply light colors, but silkscreen printing can apply colors thickly.
About 10 years before we produced the lithographs, in 1985, a publisher in Paris produced around 20 silkscreen prints of Michel Henry's works, which were sold in Japan for quite high prices.
There are currently counterfeit prints by famous Japanese artists on the market, but our company only sells works by the French master painter Michel Henry and our company, which have been signed by the artist himself, or works that we have purchased directly from Michel Henry, so there is no need to worry about counterfeits when purchasing. We also wholesale to exhibitions at department stores and galleries, so if you contact us, we can investigate the authenticity of the work and see if it is ours. You can also purchase it from our EC site.