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Honouring her remarkable contribution to photography and her unwavering commitment to championing the representation of women in arts, Ishiuchi Miyako, received the 2024 Women In Motion Award by Kering and Les Rencontres d’Arles!
On Tuesday, July 2nd, Ishiuchi has been celebrated at the Théâtre Antique d’Arles, where she received the award and shared her personal journey and views on the role of women in photography and society. This honor highlights her unique perspective and profound impact on the world of photography.
In conjunction with this recognition, a monographic exhibition of Ishiuchi’s work, entitled “Belongings,” has opened at the Salle Henri-Comte in Arles on July 1st. This exhibition builds upon her previous display at Kyotographie, showcasing her evocative and deeply personal work.
Reflecting on her art, Ishiuchi shares, “All that has form will eventually vanish. Once the human body is lifeless, it cannot continue to exist in this world. This is an obvious fact, yet I sometimes find it impossible to accept. […] In a new place, Arles, a new atmosphere, and a new space, Mother’s, ひろしま / hiroshima and Frida are all brought out of the past, revived in the present moment.”
Her photography will also be prominently featured in “I’m So Happy You Are Here,” a group exhibition of Japanese women photographers presented by Aperture at the Palais de l’Archevêché in Arles. This landmark exhibition, the first in France to acknowledge this history, brings together works by 25 Japanese female artists active from the 1950s to today. Curated by the editors of a new publication commissioned by Aperture, this show highlights the rich history and diverse voices of Japanese women photographers.
Later this summer, Ishiuchi will be the focus of a major retrospective entitled “Step Through Time” at the Okawa Museum in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture. Having returned to her birthplace six years ago, this exhibition offers a reflective journey through her life’s work and the evolution of her artistic vision.
The artist’s illustrious career began in Yokosuka, her hometown, capturing the transformation of the port town into a significant American naval base in the Pacific post-World War II. Her early works, deeply personal and politically charged, document the lingering presence of the US Occupation. Influenced by the radical political climate of 1960s Tokyo, Ishiuchi’s work from this period is noted for its coarse-grained, monochrome style, reminiscent of the are-bure-boke aesthetic popularized by Daidō Moriyama.
Her photography has continually explored the passage of time, shifting focus from locations to the bodies and personal belongings of individuals. Notable works include her “Mother’s” series, capturing her late mother’s possessions, and her ひろしま / hiroshima series, documenting items belonging to atomic bomb victims. Her international acclaim includes exhibitions at Tate Modern, the International Center of Photography, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Ishiuchi Miyako’s awards and accolades, including the Kimura Ihei Memorial Photographic Award, the 50th Mainichi Art Award, and the Hasselblad Award, reflect her significant contributions to photography and her enduring influence on the art world.
As we celebrate the achievements of Ishiuchi Miyako and her profound impact on photography, we look forward to the continued evolution of her remarkable artistic journey.
