THE WATER MARGIN:
108 HEROES BY ISAAC NICHOLS
Original Works
108 Box Set Release Event
Opens Jun 28 — 7pm till late
ATAK Gallery presents a monumental new body of work by Isaac Nichols
Inspired by Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s iconic ukiyo-e prints & rooted in one of the four great novels of Chinese literature, Nichols has reimagined all 108 of the legendary outlaw heroes in his own hand, honoring tradition while pushing it forward.
Rendered in sumi ink on washi paper
These striking portraits blend classical musha-e aesthetics with the artist’s tattoo lineage.
Many of the figures are adorned with elaborate tattooing, bringing their mythic identities to life
The result is both a tribute to Kuniyoshi’s 19th-century masterwork & a standalone achievement in storytelling through image.
To commemorate this monumental series, a limited edition box set has been produced — available opening night!
This unbound set contains all 108 full-color prints, housed in a custom-designed, archival-quality case. Printed in an edition of just 500, each box is a complete visual chronicle — part collector’s portfolio, part mythic odyssey.
Each print includes a detailed description of the featured character & their role in the canon of The 108 Heroes of the Water Margin
Along with extensive cross-referencing between characters, scenes, & symbolism. This contextual layer offers viewers a deeper understanding of the rich, interwoven narrative that defines The Water Margin — one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
ISAAC NICHOLS
THE WATER MARGIN
EXHIBITION + 108 BOX SET RELEASE EVENT
JUNE 28, 2025 —7 PM TILL LATE
1038 LARKIN ST, SF, CA