The People
Robert B. Chenoweth
Founder
Robert is a Gyotaku instructor at the Japanese Culture Center in Chicago, IL, where he is dedicated to preserving and innovating the traditional Japanese art of fish printing. As a keynote speaker, he shares his expertise on both Gyotaku and the global art market. In addition to his work as an educator and speaker, Robert is an avid art collector and dealer with a passion for connecting people to unique and meaningful works.
He also blended his passion for gyotaku with his experience as an angler to create PaperFin — a modern, mess-free approach to fish printing. The PaperFin Inkless Fish Printing Kits are designed to make gyotaku more accessible to beginners, educators, and families by eliminating the need for traditional inks and studio setups. With these portable, easy-to-use kits, users can capture the beauty of their catch right at the water’s edge or at home, without compromising on artistic quality. PaperFin not only simplifies the process, but also invites a wider audience to engage with this centuries-old practice in a hands-on, contemporary way. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a teacher, or an artist exploring new mediums, PaperFin offers a clean and creative entry point into the world of gyotaku.
Dwight Hwang
Master Gyotaku Artist
Gyotaku, a traditional Japanese art form rooted in the samurai era, began as a way to document fish using sumi ink and paper. Artists like Dwight Hwang have since refined the technique into a modern art style known as Wa-Modan—a fusion of classical Japanese aesthetics and contemporary design. Hwang’s work, prized by art collectors, Michelin-star chefs, and luxury brands like the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, brings movement, emotion, and storytelling into each piece, redefining gyotaku for today’s high-end interiors.