Image of the Day
Specially curated
365 Days, 365 Images
of National/International
Photographers
An Image a Day
Let us engage with this
Fascinating Medium that
Breaks all boundaries
Zen, Japanesque © Ikko Narahara 1968 – 70 | Image source internet
Ikkō Narahara
I aim to create a personal document, a process of laying bare the inner form by thoroughly depicting the exterior.
– Ikkō Narahara
Ikkō Narahara was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1931 and passed away in 2020. His father, a prosecutor, frequently relocated for work; this meant that Narahara spent his adolescence living in various places throughout Japan. At the time that Narahara began photographing, in 1946, he was also interested in art and literature. He graduated from Chuo University with a degree in Law in 1954, and he later entered the master’s program in Art (specializing in Art History) at Waseda University. In 1955, he joined the innovative artist group Jitsuzaisha (Real Existence). At the same time, he also came to know Shomei Tomatsu and Eikoh Hosoe. In 1959, together with other photographers, these three formed the independent photo agency VIVO, which dissolved in 1961. Narahara went on to photograph various places around the world while basing himself in Paris (1962-65) and New York (1970-74). Aside from his numerous exhibitions, Narahara has also published many photography books, finding a favorable reception abroad. Major exhibitions include “Human Land,” Matsushima Gallery, Tokyo (1956), “Ikko Narahara,” Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris (2002-2003), and “Mirror of Space and Time: Synchronicity,” Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography (2004). Major awards include the Japan Photo Critics Association Newcomer’s Award (1958), The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture’s Art Encouragement Prize (1968), the Mainichi Arts Award (1968), the Photographic Society of Japan Annual Award (1986), and The Medal with Purple Ribbon (1996).
In his early works, Narahara focused on people who were living in isolation from the everyday world, such as monks in a Trappist monastery or the inmates of a women’s prison. Returning from his visits to the USA, France, Spain, and Italy, he focused more on depicting his culture. Walking a tightrope between description and abstraction, objectivity and a personal narrative, Narahara transcended the journalistic documentary photography then prevalent in Japan.
Published on August 1, 2021
See All Image of the Day | 365 days, 365 images
Share
Related Posts
Françoise Huguier | Image of the Day
Françoise Huguier, born in 1942, is a renowned French photographer known for her unique approach to documentary and artistic photography. Her work often focuses on intimate portraits of people and their environments, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Eikoh Hosoe | Ba-Ra-Kei: Ordeal by Rose | Image of the day
Eikoh Hosoe is a renowned Japanese photographer and filmmaker who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary art since the 1950s. Born in 1933 in Yamagata Prefecture, Hosoe grew up during a tumultuous period in Japanese history, which would later influence his artistic vision and themes.
Joel Meyerowitz | The Red Interior, Provincetown 1977 | Image of the Day
Joel Meyerowitz is a pioneering American street photographer and color photography advocate who has significantly influenced the field of photography since the 1960s.
Tomorrow’s Harvest | David Burdeny | Image of the Day
David Burdeny, born in 1968 in Winnipeg, Canada, is an acclaimed fine art photographer recognized for his evocative minimalist landscapes and architectural imagery. With a background in interior design and architecture, Burdeny brings a unique perspective to his photography, capturing the interplay between natural beauty and human-made environments
Alex Webb | Tehuantepec, Mexico, 1985 | Image of the Day
Alex Webb (b. 1952) is an American photographer and Magnum member renowned for his complex, colorful street photography. His work, primarily in the Caribbean, Mexico, and along the U.S.-Mexico border, features layered compositions with vibrant hues and dramatic lighting. Webb's images often depict cultural intersections and human resilience.
The Factory of Absolute by Thierry Cardon
Today's featured image is by distinguished French photographer Thierry Cardon. Experience the world through PhotoMail's Image of the Day, curated by renowned Indian photographer and PhotoMail editor Abul Kalam Azad. Each day, uncover a unique photograph highlighting the diverse expressions of globally recognized and emerging photographers.