22/08/2026
Sometimes asked what "Gyotaku" is and how to make one. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the technique and view "gyotaku" prints directly produced with fish.
Coming up next at Side Gallery 🌊
Using the traditional Japanese art of Gyotaku, Stephen Coombe creates detailed impressions that capture the unique beauty of Australia’s marine species. Each work begins with a fish caught in the coastal waters of Queensland, preserving not only its intricate form but also the quiet ritual of time spent on the water. Gyotaku combines gyo (fish) and taku (stone impression), originating in the mid-1800s as a method for Japanese fishermen to record the exact size and species of their catches before the widespread use of photography. A non-toxic ink applied to the fish means there is no waste; the fish remains edible and supports sustainable fishing practices for Coombe’s family. In ‘A Fisherman’s Basket’, Coombe brings together works gathered over several years, marking the richness of marine life and the enduring relationship between his family and the sea.
Join us for opening night! 🥂
STEPHEN COOMBE
A Fisherman’s Basket
Thursday 27 August
6.00 pm
5.30 pm — Artist talk
SIDE GALLERY
7 Emma Street, Red Hill
Curated by Laura Ly