The spiritual world of mystery and tranquillity that photographer Michael Kenna loved
Michael Kenna has been photographing around the world for over fifty years. His in-depth explorations and imagery of Japan since 1987 stand out as perhaps his most distinguished and well-known works. In his own words, “On my first visit to Japan, I was blown away by the aesthetics, the spiritual and religious aspects, the curiosity of the people, their friendliness and generosity,” he says. “Later, I went up to Northern Hokkaido in the middle of winter, and it looked to me like a stark sumi-e ink painting, a white canvas with Kanji characters marked on it. I’ve been in love with the place ever since.”
Red Crown Crane Feeding, Tsurui, Hokkaido 2005 ©Michael Kenna
Dancing Trees, Kussharo Lake, Hokkaido 2020 ©Michael Kenna
An exceptional exhibition comprised of one hundred original silver gelatin prints, hand-crafted by Mr. Kenna, has been produced by the Peter Fetterman Gallery, Los Angeles. The exhibition will be presented by Nikkei and the Financial Times in Tokyo, Los Angeles and London in 2024, celebrating half a century of work by the renowned British-American photographer, and his enduring relationship with Japan. The exhibition catalogue is designed by Hideyuki Taguchi and published by the distinguished Nazraeli Press, and a short film with unique footage of Mr. Kenna working in Japan will be presented by the French film-maker Richard Bonnet.
Hyomon, Study 1, Kussharo Lake, Hokkaido 2020 ©Michael Kenna
Sadakichi’s Docks, Otaru, Hokkaido 2012 ©Michael Kenna
Term: April 17 (Wed.) – May 5 (Sun.) 2024
Open: 11 am – 6 pm (closing at 17:00 on the last day. Admission until 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Free
Sponsored and presented by Nikkei, FINANCIAL TIMES
Official HP: https://www.peterfetterman.com/japanalovestory/
Message from Mr. Kenna
Japan – A Love Story, is a dream come true. I regard this exhibition and accompanying book as a personal homage to Japan, symbolizing my immense ongoing appreciation and deep gratitude for this alluring and mysterious country. There is a rich tradition of reciprocal gift giving in the Japanese culture, from which I have long been a grateful beneficiary, always aware that I could never give back in equal measure. I sincerely hope this exhibition can be viewed as a small token of my ongoing desire to do so. I would like to welcome everybody to the exhibition and shout out a very loud domo arigatou gozaimasu to the many, many kind people who have helped to make this wonderful event happen.
Profile
Michael Kenna ©Tsuyoshi Kato
Michael Kenna
Born 1953, Lancashire, UK. He studied at the London College of Printing and moved to the West Coast of the USA in the mid-1970’s. Currently living in Seattle, he was awarded the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2022. Known in Japan for his landscape photography of Kyoto, Nara and Hokkaido, he has also published a number of photo books on Japanese themes.In 2019, his 45th anniversary photography exhibition will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. His photographs have been used in commercials for many companies worldwide.
Term: April 17 (Wed.) – May 5 (Sun.) 2024
Open: 11 am – 6 pm (closing at 17:00 on the last day. Admission until 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Free
Sponsored and presented by Nikkei, FINANCIAL TIMES
Official HP: https://www.peterfetterman.com/japanalovestory/
