There’s something quietly magical about stepping into a room filled with Japanese woodblock prints: the way colour seems to glow from within the paper, the gentle rhythm of waves, seasons and stories captured in ink and pigment. This summer, York Art Gallery invites you to linger in that feeling with Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print, a major exhibition that runs through 30 August 2026 and brings together over 100 works spanning three centuries of Japanese art and culture.
Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print,
What is Making Waves?
Making Waves unpacks the technical innovation, natural inspiration, and social change behind Japanese woodblock printing from the 17th to the 21st centuries, highlighting the art form’s heyday in the 18th and 19th centuries, including its transformation during the Meiji period. The display pairs works from York Art Gallery’s holdings, some shown to the public for the first time, with loans from institutions including the British Museum, the British Library, and the Ashmolean.
The exhibition notably includes Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa on loan from Maidstone Museum, a headline draw for visitors and local press alike.
Highlights and notable loans:
- Over 100 iconic prints spanning three centuries
- Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa (loan from Maidstone Museum)
- Early printed books from the British Library and a selection of important prints from the British Museum and Ashmolean
- Kimonos from Durham Oriental Museum and armour and swords from the Royal Armouries that help situate the prints historically and culturally
What to expect on your visit
Visitors can follow a thematic route through 300 years of printmaking, encountering colour woodblock prints, illustrated books and related objects such as kimonos, armour and swords that illuminate the cultural contexts of the prints. The exhibition is family-friendly and interactive elements and interpretative displays help explain techniques such as carving, inking and printing. General admission includes access to the exhibition, though booking in advance is encouraged to secure timed entry.
Special events and programmes
Making Waves is accompanied by a rich events programme: short, informal “Making Waves Talks” run every first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 to 12:30 and are included with gallery admission (no booking required). The gallery has run themed activities such as the “Create the Wave” Easter programme and a May half-term schedule of family workshops inspired by the prints.
Closing Celebration in August
To mark the exhibition’s finale, York Art Gallery is holding a two-day Closing Celebration on Saturday, 29 August and Sunday, 30 August 2026 (10:00 to 17:00). The weekend festival will feature music, workshops, creative activities, food and, performances across the gallery and Museum Gardens. It will also include traditional Japanese crafts (including kokedama sessions), drumming and harp performances, and community choirs among the scheduled highlights. Most activities for the celebration are included in general admission, with some ticketed workshops available.
A Landmark Exhibition of Japanese Woodblock Art
Making Waves is an opportunity to see a focused, interpretative survey of Japanese woodblock printing with rare loans and fresh displays from York’s own collection. It gives depth to the familiar highlights and revealing new stories, including recently acquired works displayed for the first time. The combination of blockbuster loans (notably Hokusai), hands-on events, and seasonal family programming makes it well suited to visitors with interests in art history, Japanese culture and craft.
Visit details
York Art Gallery
The exhibition is on view at York Art Gallery in central York. The gallery is located on Exhibition Square, next to the Museum Gardens and within easy walking distance of York Minster and the city’s main transport links. Standard opening hours vary by season; visitors are advised to check the gallery’s page for current times before planning their trip.
Ticket prices for the exhibition are included in general admission to York Art Gallery. Current admission rates are as follows:
- Child (£5.40): Ages 5–16. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Free admission: Children aged 0–4 and York residents aged 0–16 with proof of address. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
- Young Person/Student (£8.10): Ages 17–24 or students with valid ID.
- Senior (£8.10): Ages 65+ with valid ID.
Advance booking is recommended to secure timed entry, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Most exhibition-related activities, including the monthly “Making Waves Talks” and many Closing Celebration events, are included with general admission. Some workshops may require separate tickets or sign-up.
