PGI
EXHIBITION
EXHIBITION
MICHIKO KON
Japanese photographer Michiko Kon initially studied painting and printmaking before attending Tokyo Photographic College from 1978–80. Delving deep into her subconscious in search of inspiration for her otherworldly still life images, Kon transforms seemingly mundane objects like vegetables, actual sea creatures like fish and squid, flowers, and insects into surreal, enigmatic scenes that she then photographs and prints herself. Her recent work in Mexico draws on local motifs to juxtapose her own views on life and death with the country’s unique blend of religion and occultism. Taxidermy, insects, silkworms, larvae, and cocoons are just some of the organic materials that Kon uses to express her ideas of transmigration and the circle of life. Elsewhere, imaginary beasts draped in eyeballs and flowers or robed in garments made of fish and cocoons take on an inexplicable sensuality, becoming so vivid that the lush, handmade prints barely seem to contain them. This solo exhibition will feature around 20 gelatin silver prints by the artist.
VENUE
VENUE
PGI
- C2
- Azabu-Juban
A pioneer among Japanese commercial galleries specializing in photographic art, Photo Gallery International was established in Tokyo’s Toranomon district in 1979. The gallery adopted its current name, PGI, upon its move to Higashi-Azabu in 2015. PGI exhibits seminal photographers from the United States and beyond, including Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Harry Callahan, and Emmet Gowin. The gallery also works with masters of Japanese postwar photography like Yasuhiro Ishimoto, Kikuji Kawada, Ikko Narahara, and Eikoh Hosoe. PGI takes pride in partnerships with established artists such as Kozo Miyoshi, Michiko Kon, and Yoshihiko Ito that date back to the early days of their careers. Since 2003, the gallery has also discovered new talents, welcoming Shintaro Sato, Takashi Arai, Yuki Shimizu, Narumi Hiramoto, and many others to the program.
