The Pen – Ikeda Manabu Art Book Review

Posted By yonghow on September 23rd, 2017

Ikeda Manabu is a Japanese artist based in Wisconsin, USA. He is known for his incredibly detailed art work achieved using pen and ink, often executed on large scales.

This art book Pen is a commemoration of his 20 years of creative work and collects his recently completed piece Rebirth ( image above ), in which he created as a response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, as well as 100 other pieces handpicked by the artist himself.

While anything but viewing the actual art work can do justice to the unbelievable, intricate details of his drawings, this significantly sized art book ( 11.7 x 11.6 x 0.9 inches ) is likely the next best way to view his works collectively.

The Pen - Ikeda Manabu Art Book Review

“Rebirth” depicts a tree covered in stunning foliage rising from giant, crashing waves, a visual allegory representing the recovery of the country after the devastating earthquake in 2011. Multiple close-ups of the drawings are shown across several pages so that the details can be better appreciated.

The Pen - Ikeda Manabu Art Book Review

I hope I’m lucky enough to have the chance to see Ikeda’s drawings in person some day, but until such a time this art book will have to suffice. My highest recommendations.

“The Pen – Ikeda Manabu 池田学画集” art book details :

Dimensions – 11.7 x 11.6 x 0.9 inches
Softcover, 168 pages
In Japanese/English language