"The Master" is a Limited Edition Giclee Print of Only 75 Released.
Individually Signed and Numbered by Artist Ian Mackenzie.
It is printed on an Exhibition Matte 380gsm canvas size 665mm x 485mm (picture size is 550mm x 385mm).
It comes unframed and packed in a protective delivery tube with a Certificate of Authenticity signed and verified by the artist.
Free Delivery to UK only.
“The Master” by Ian Mackenzie
"This piece sits at the very heart of my existence. My journey began the day I walked into a village hall in 1982 and took my very first karate lesson. From that moment forward, karate became the backbone of my life, shaping my discipline, my character, and ultimately the artist I am today.
Until his passing, I had the privilege of being a devoted student of Harada Sensei, 5th Dan, founder and principal of the Karate Do Shotokai organisation.
I still remember being seventeen years old, standing in a dojo and watching this seemingly slight Japanese man effortlessly move seasoned black belts as if they were weightless. There was no theatrics. No force. Only presence, timing, and absolute mastery. I was captivated.
From that moment on, I followed him wherever I could, around the UK, across Europe, and even to Japan, immersing myself in the world he had shaped and the discipline he embodied.
Over the years, I was honoured not only to train under him, but to know him personally. In 2014, he awarded me 5th Dan, the highest grade within our organisation. It was a moment of profound significance that I will carry with me always.
After one training session, he asked me about my artwork. He was always thoughtful and curious. I told him that one day I hoped to paint his portrait, but not a conventional likeness. I wanted to create something that reflected how his students truly remember him. Not simply an image, but a legacy on canvas. Something that would endure, as he has endured in the martial arts world.
He smiled.
When I later shared my concept, he agreed to pose. And so began the most demanding and meaningful challenge of my artistic life: to unite my two greatest passions of karate and painting.
How do you capture a lifetime of discipline, influence, and quiet authority? How do you portray a man who carried his innovative approach to karate across continents and shaped generations through the study of a single pair of hands?
As I worked, I realised those hands represented more than technique. They symbolised transmission. The passing on of knowledge, spirit, and responsibility. The legacy he entrusted to his students, and to me.
The final challenge was its title. After days of reflection, only one felt true to what this piece represents:
“The Master”
This is more than a portrait; it is gratitude and respect, strength without aggression, and decades of discipline distilled into form. It represents lineage continuing the quiet transmission of knowledge, spirit, and mastery from one generation to the next. I am deeply proud to share this painting with you. For those who understand dedication, heritage, and the enduring power of true mastery, this piece speaks far beyond the canvas".
