Gyotaku "Fish Tails" Art Show At North Carolina Aquarium - Pine Knolls

By Claire Aubel 

Atlantic Beach, NC - Fish make a great impression in a new art show at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

The exhibit, “Fish Tails,” features the work of Morehead City artist Nancy Gorr, on show now through April 7.

Gorr uses the ancient Japanese technique of gyotaku (pronounced gee-oh-tah-koo), which means “fish rubbing.” The artist carefully applies paint to a real fish, covers the paint with handmade rice paper and then rubs to create an impression. She learned the fish-printing technique 22 years ago when she took a gyotaku class at the Aquarium.

“I have a love of fishing and I really have a love of our environment,” said Gorr. “I think every fish is fascinating, and I want the fish prints to look as natural as possible.”

Since beginning her gyotaku work, Gorr has gone on to give gyotaku demonstrations in schools and at the Aquarium. Gorr also created the 1995 North Carolina Seafood Festival Commemorative poster using the technique.

In the show, watercolor and ink prints include intricate flounder, rainbow-colored dolphin fish, squid, pompano and octopus.

The “Fish Tails” art show is free with paid admission or membership. The Aquarium still offers gyotaku lessons for a small fee during the Nature Crafts summer program that begins in June.

The Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for ages 62 and over and $6 for ages 6-17. Children 5 and under and North Carolina Aquarium Society members are admitted free.

The Aquarium is five miles west of Atlantic Beach at 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Atlantic Beach, NC 28512. Visit www.ncaquariums.com or call 252-247-4003 for more information.

PHOTO: Colorful fish prints make up the new “Fish Tails” gyotaku art show at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores now through Tuesday, April 7.

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores - 252-247-4003 - www.ncaquariums.com
PO Box 580 Milepost 7 Atlantic Beach, NC 28512