Collections

Apples Kabuki Suite [Title page]

Printmaker: Douthwaite, Pat · 1934-2002Publisher: Peacock PrintmakersPrinter: Watson, Arthur, PPRSA RSA · b. 1951

Apples Kabuki Suite [Title page]

‘Apples Kabuki’ is a suite of lithographs comprising 10 prints and a title sheet which graphic prints echo the artist’s own dance training and…

‘Apples Kabuki’ is a suite of lithographs comprising 10 prints and a title sheet which graphic prints echo the artist’s own dance training and are inspired by Japanese Kabuki theatre with its exaggerated costume and extreme theatre.

The lithographs were made by the artist drawing directly onto a zinc plate with a greasy crayon and wash, and represent a rare excursion by her into the field of printmaking.

The suite transforms from slow and static portraits of women in Kimonos towards powerful, surreal and at times gruesome images of people with scarred faces and skulls. The majority include elaborate and complex patterns and feature birds and small cat-like animals. Douthwaite described herself as ‘The High Priestess of the grotesque’ and the prints in the suite are a reflection of this artistic focus on the grotesque and the unusual.

The suite was first exhibited at The Third Eye Centre in Glasgow as part of Douthwaite's solo exhibition "Paintings and Drawings 1951-1988". In May 2025 the suite was shown again in its original (uncoloured) entirety in the exhibition "Pat Douthwaite: Apples Kabuki" mounted by Peacock in Aberdeen where the suite was printed and editioned in its 'the worm' Gallery at 11 Castle Street, Aberdeen from 16 May to 28 June 2025.

The RSA Collections suite lacks three of the ten prints; Black Bird and Tasselled Banner; Black Spikey-haired Geisha and Bent Topper; and Tennis Playing Geisha.

The print was printed by Arthur Watson

The print carries the Peacock embossed stamp designed by Donald Addison

© The Artist's Estate