Dear Print Collectors,

There's a famous line from the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There': It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. It is also a saying coined by American scientist Leigh M. Van Valen. It is used as a metaphor for the fact that species, individuals, and genes must continue to evolve in order to survive. I feel that this proverb is an encouragement and a calling to never be satisfied with the status quo and to always push ourselves to a higher level. So, although I am by no means satisfied with the current situation, I would like to talk about my current work here in order to think about the direction I should take in the future.

I think most of the collectors who have supported me up until now feel the same way, but the motivation and goal of my expression in my work is none other than "capturing light itself." The glassware, flowers, and shadows that appear on the screen are merely catalysts for this purpose. This is important even in portrait photography, and I believe that light itself is actually the "soul" or "energy" that surrounds the scene. 

‘Lights Sketches’

This was inspired by the French phrase "Peinture de lumière" (picture of light). Furthermore, they are also "light sketches," that is, records of the ever-changing light that is captured on paper. In my work, I avoid using artificial lighting whenever possible, and photograph using only the natural light of the spot. It is both a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with light and a prayer. I would like to continue this series as long as possible.

‘Silence and gardens’

This is an homage to the "Park Series" by Czech photographer Josef Zdek, who I have loved since I was a child. I hope to express in my images the spirit of the ever-changing flow of gardens through the Japanese tea ceremony. "Flow," also from the same series, is inspired by the flow of water, which also embodies the ideas of Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher. Both are themes I would like to explore more in the future.

‘Echos from afar’

This series was born from a desire to let memories and sounds from the distant past, as well as the invisible "echoes" themselves, float in two-dimensional space. These are by no means occult or horrible memories, but rather, I wanted to express vibrations from the past that inspire and inspire us who live in the present. It is a positive action that is cultivated through many encounters and experiences. I think I need to travel more.

‘Bottles and Glassware’

And finally, I would like to talk about this series and bring this story to a close. I feel like a stage director watching each of the glassware and ceramics featured here as an actor. It has been about five years since I began photographing them in earnest, but I still never tire of it; rather, I continue to pursue new stages with them. The light of the four seasons links with my mental state and creates a new world. What's unique is that when I'm taking photos, I enjoy being able to arrange them almost unconsciously (at their own discretion).

I have roughly explained the four groups of works above, but they are my motivation for my work and also my goals that will never be completed. I am grateful for everyone's warm support, and I would like to continue pursuing these themes.

with whole lotta Love, 

Yoshio Inoue