Tamiko Nishimura "My Journey Since Then"

Zen Foto Gallery

Finished

Artists

Tamiko Nishimura

Zen Foto Gallery is pleased to announce Tamiko Nishimura’s photo exhibition “My Journey Since Then”, the final chapter to her “My Journey” trilogy, following the exhibitions “My Journey (Ryojin)” in 2018 and “My Journey, Continued” in 2020. The exhibition will mainly feature Nishimura’s snapshots taken during her trips in and out of Japan from the 1990s to the most recent in 2022, as well as a selection of her representative work from her series “Shikishima” and “Eternal Chase” from the early 1970s.

Throughout her career of over half a century from around 1968 when she first started taking photographs to the present day when digital photography has become the mainstream worldwide, Nishimura has continued to photograph with film and make her own prints in the darkroom. This exhibition will feature approximately 25 prints and most of them are her original hand-printed prints.

"Since around 1968 when I was a photography student, I have been freely taking photos of scenes, people, and things that intrigue me. I have truly enjoyed the experience. In 1968, I took stage photos for the Jōkyō Gekijō [Situation Theatre], a troupe led by Jūrō Kara. In the beginning, I learned that simply pressing the shutter would not allow me to capture anything of the actors who could easily break through boundaries. The only way I could photograph was to fix my gaze on them and look as hard as I could, to the extent that I could go beyond the lens and collide with the actors. Over two years, I took photos of all the performances I could possibly attend. Photos taken during that period were published as a book under the title Existence in 2011.
One of my favourite photographers is Josef Koudelka. When I saw his photos of the gypsies for the first time, I was not only touched but also shocked by his sincere perspective on the subjects. I felt that I saw the ideal way for me to face my subjects. I went to the Czech Republic in 2011. In August 1968, Koudelka had taken photos in Prague of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, led by the Soviet Union. I wanted to take photos in Wenceslas Square, where his renowned photo from Invasion 68, Prague of an arm with a wristwatch in the foreground and the National Museum at the end of the square was taken. Although what I took, in the end, was the back of a woman instead of a wristwatch. [...]
Starting from the Situation Theatre troupe, I have encountered many people with outstanding characters and I have travelled to different places to take photos. I have a feeling that I am still en route."
—— Excerpts from Tamiko Nishimura’s Afterword on My Journey III. 1993–2022

In conjunction with this exhibition, Zen Foto Gallery will publish My Journey III. 1993–2022 as then final sequel of the My Journey trilogy. Ever since the publication of My Journey, the first book of the trilogy in 2018, Zen Foto Gallery has comprehensively showcased Nishimura’s unpublished work from her early to recent years, reflecting her consistent stance towards photography. We would like to invite you to take this opportunity to take a look at Nishimura’s impressive body of work created from her ongoing journey.

[Related Event]
Slide Screening and Talk Event
Date: November 19 (Sat) 16:00-17:30
Slide Presentation: "My Journey 1968–2021" (No Audio, 20 minutes)
Talk: Tamiko Nishimura and Masakazu Murakami (Editor-in-Chief of Shashin Magazine, Photographer)
Hosted by: Amanda Lo (Planning Coordinator)
Fee: ¥1000 (Reservation required.)
*Available only in Japanese language.
*Please check the official website for event details and how to apply.

Schedule

Nov 4 (Fri) 2022-Nov 26 (Sat) 2022