About Watanabe
Sadao Watanabe (1913–1996) was a Japanese artist who specialized in traditional Japanese mingei (folk art) prints depicting biblical scenes. Watanabe achieved international acclaim with his striking artworks dwelling on themes that, though ubiquitous in western artwork, had been absent from the Japanese art tradition.
Watanabe’s strong sense of line and flat tonal values draw the viewer’s eye on new paths through familiar scenes, blending and even transcending primitive and modern styles in these timeless pieces of devotion and thanksgiving.
Watanabe produced these artworks in hopes that they would be displayed in “everyday places” to witness to Christ and the Gospel. We hope that, by presenting these artworks in a variety of spaces, we can honor Sadao Watanabe’s wish to share the Gospel in ordinary places.
Click here to visit an informative website with the catalog of Sadao Watanabe's works