Beyond the Surface: A Visual Exploration of Wabi-Sabi
Visiting the Museum of Photography in Tokyo.
When I saw his photos, I got goosebumps. They gave me a completely different meaning to the concept of wabi-sabi. I had never felt such respect for an image before, but his pictures were different. He mostly captured two people side by side who couldn't have been more contrasting. His understanding of beauty brought a sense of sadness with it. How could something so imperfect still be so beautiful? It was mostly ordinary people that he captured with his camera. Simple people whom most city dwellers paid little attention to, at most casting a disparaging glance their way. All the things that are not typically associated with the concept of beauty, he placed at the center of his art. Almost provocatively, he sought beauty and aesthetics in every imperfect face, even if it seemed hidden. He made it apparent. He changed the way I observe people. “Beauty is where you find it.” Madonna.
Born in 1987 in Gifu Prefecture, Fuchikami graduated from the Photography Department at Nagoya Visual Arts in 2014. Transitioning to freelancing after a stint at Roppongi Studio, he has been capturing an ongoing series of photographs featuring individuals in Tokyo's Ueno neighborhood. Fuchikami's distinctive approach involves framing his subjects directly against the Ueno backdrop, creating a unique and intimate connection with the people he photographs. Notable exhibitions showcasing his work include "On the Street - To Empty My Heart" at TOTEM POLE PHOTO GALLERY in Tokyo (2016), focusing on Ueno residents, and the "2021 Young Portfolio Satellite Exhibition" at Place M in 2022. His published photo collections encompass "On the Street 1" (2017, private edition), "On the Street 2" (STAIRS PRESS, 2018), and "Ueno Park" (Shiogama Photo Festival, 2023). Fuchikami's talent was recognized with the Photography Grand Prix at the Shiogama Photo Festival 2022 Portfolio Review.
