Latest news with #PeterFettermanGallery
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘A form of meditation': a photographic haiku to Japan
Michael Kenna presents his largest-ever Hong Kong exhibition, Japan/A Love Story, featuring 100 stunning silver gelatin prints that distill four decades of his deep connection with Japan's landscapes, traditions and culture. Known for his dreamlike black-and-white compositions, Kenna's work is poetic, minimalist and meditative – offering a rare moment of stillness in a fast-moving world. Japan/A Love Story is at Blue Lotus Gallery, Hong Kong from 25 April until 18 May Kenna's connection to Asia runs deep. Since 2006, he has photographed across the region, captivated by its atmosphere, light and emotional richness. 'Creative inspiration, at least for me, can be found in light, atmosphere and any subject matter that arouses an inner emotional response,' he says. 'Asia contains a vast abundance of these elements' Photograph: © Michael Kenna:Courtesy Peter Fetterman Gallery Kenna: '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. 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' 'I gravitate towards places where humans have been and are no more, to the edge of man's influence, where the elements are taking over or covering man's traces' 'People often ask why I still use analogue photography, and one reason is that I can't fully control or predict it – I never know exactly how the images will turn out, and I love that. Doubt is central to faith; not knowing fosters discovery and becomes a perfect incentive – a push and a drive to creativity' 'I aim to distil the essence of a subject, finding simplicity in the complexity of the natural world' 'Torii gates symbolise the Shinto belief that deities reside not just in shrines, temples, churches, mosques and synagogues but in nature; in the earth, sky and water. These gates serve as reminders to respect and honour the land, the earth and our universe. Every individual will have their own interpretations, but when I see a Torii gate, I immediately want to free myself from unwanted distractions, focus on what is important, escape from the noise of the world, unclutter my 'stuff' and prioritise life' 'What I find most compelling is how silence and emptiness can communicate so much. That understanding shapes how I create. The discipline, silence, meditation and patience of my early experience in the Catholic church have never left me, nor the innate belief that some things might be unseen, yet can still be present' 'I prefer suggestion over description, like haiku poetry, where just a few elements act as catalysts for one's imagination' 'Light and shadow are my collaborators, revealing the unseen and transforming the ordinary' 'Photographing landscapes is about appreciating what we have and recognising how vital it is to protect it' 'I like to imagine myself as part of the universe, moving through the cycles of the seasons, from a distant beginning to an unpredictable end. Photography can become a form of spontaneous meditation' 'The world is pretty chaotic, seemingly always speeding up and getting louder and more visually dense. I am interested in finding or creating calm shelters from the storm, places where quiet and solitude is encouraged and inner contemplation possible. I think we could all use a break from time to time' 'For me, the subtlety of black and white inspires the imagination to complete the picture in the mind's eye. It doesn't attempt to compete with the outside world. I believe it is calmer and gentler than colour and persists longer in our visual memory' 'I try not to make conscious decisions about what I am looking for. I don't make elaborate preparation before I go to a location. Essentially I walk, explore, discover and photograph' 'Imagine yourself as one of the solitary trees –waiting, observing, experiencing, and living in the moment. I like to imagine myself as part of the universe, moving through the cycles of the seasons, from a distant beginning to an unpredictable end'
The Guardian
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Keith Haring, Kanagawa and Georgia O'Keeffe: highlights from NYC's Photography Show
Photograph: Hellen van Meene/Courtesy Yancey Richardson Gallery Reflection of the Empire State, New York, 2013. Photograph: Aldo Sessa/unGallery Keith Haring Pop Shop, 1986. Photograph: Tseng Kwong Chi/Muna Tseng Dance Projects Inc/Keith Haring Foundation/Courtesy Yancey Richardson Gallery Easter Sunday, Harlem, New York, 1947. Photograph: Henri Cartier-Bresson/Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos/Courtesy Peter Fetterman Gallery Xiao Wen Ju with Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa, Eglingham, Northumberland, 2012. Photograph: Tim Walker/Michael Hoppen Gallery Georgia O'Keeffe and Cheese. Photograph: Tony Vaccaro/Monroe Gallery of Photography American Color 2 (Daytona Beach, FL), 1997. Photograph: Constantine Manos/Courtesy Robert Klein Gallery Self-Portrait While Buried #1, 2021. Photograph: Jenny Calivas/Courtesy Yancey Richardson Gallery Rakan Girls in Moonlight, Jordan, 2024. Photograph: Nick Brandt/Gilman Contemporary Photograph: Luis González Palma/jdc Fine Arts Photograph: Flor Garduño/Throckmorton Fine Art Photograph: André de Dienes/Michael Hoppen Gallery Manos de Berta Singerman, 1950. Photograph: Annemarie Heinrich /Vasari Photograph: Cara Romero/Scheinbaum & Russek Ltd Island Boy, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina (boy in tree), 1952. Photograph: Constantine Manos/Courtesy Robert Klein Gallery Photograph: Jan C Schlegel/Echo Fine Arts Phone Line (Self-portrait), 2019. Photograph: Tania Franco Klein/Rosegallery Photograph: Bryan Schutmaat/Sasha Wolf Projects Peggy Guggenheim in Venice, Italy, 1968. Photograph: Tony Vaccaro/Monroe Gallery of Photography Photograph: Anthony Barboza/Courtesy 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop New York City (Dog Legs), 1974. Photograph: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos/Courtesy Staley-Wise Gallery Photograph: Marilyn Minter/Courtesy Yancey Richardson Gallery Photograph: Zig Jackson/Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York Photograph: Zanele Muholi/Courtesy Yancey Richardson Gallery Photograph: Paul Cupido/Courtesy Peter Fetterman Gallery
Time Out
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Michael Kenna: Japan / A Love Story
Admire gorgeous black-and-white photographs of Japan's breathtaking scenery in H Queen's latest exhibition, 'Michael Kenna: Japan / A Love Story'. Presented by Nikkei, the Financial Times, and Peter Fetterman Gallery, this collection features renowned British-American photographer Michael Kenna's 100 unique silver gelatin prints, all showcasing the beauty of Japan's diverse landscape. As Kenna's largest display in Hong Kong to date, this exhibition invites guests to appreciate his unique approach to photography, where he highlights minimalist compositions, long exposures, and moody imagery – all captured during his countless trips to Japan over four decades. Kenna's photographs will be displayed from April 25 to May 18 at H Queen's, where he will also hold an exclusive book signing event on April 23, so be sure to mark your calendars.
