Printing Samples: Tulips printed with Turmeric, Elderberry, Paprika, and Coffee. Image courtesy of Chika Ito.
CHIKA ITO
Chika was born in Japan in 1976. Her father was a Kimono dyer and she grew up with colourful textiles. Her passion though, was always for paper and books, and she decided to leave her family when she finished high school. She received her BFA in Printmaking(Silkscreen) in 2000 in the U.S.. During her study in the U.S., she was introduced to Fresco technique (painting on freshly prepared lime ground with pigments) and Tempera paint (made with fresh egg yolk and pigment). She then began her experimentation with non-toxic binders and colors for her printmaking/drawing ink. In 2005 she moved to the Netherlands, she makes “Kitchen-based ink/paint” in her kitchen with edible binders and colorful materials; vegetables, fruits, spices, and more. She has been exhibiting her work internationally and given many workshops at international Printmaking conferences and other institutions, and online. She is one of the three co-founders of Flatto81, a sustainable multidisciplinary project based in The Netherlands.
All the colors in Chika’s photos, seen here, are made with veggies and fruits, and starch as a binder.
“Sky” 2009, printed with red cabbage and rice starch on Japanese paper. Image courtesy of Chika Ito.