The catalyst for my journey into photography began shortly after I entered my first year of high school (in Japan, the school year starts in April, not September). It was a time when cherry blossoms had fallen, making way for fresh greenery. I was strolling through the city when I happened to notice a sign for a group photo exhibition.
My memory of the event is somewhat vague, but I believe it was a small gallery located on the second floor of a building. It was indeed a group photography exhibition, and what stood out most in my memory was that nearly all the works were monochrome. As it was my first experience attending a gallery exhibition, I remember nervously stepping into the entrance. The space was minimalistic, with three white walls forming a simple rectangular studio-like area. There were around 30 photographs displayed in a single row, ranging in size might be from 8×10 to about 11×14 inches. Unfortunately, I can’t recall all the works now, but one image caught my attention. It was a scene of an old-style red (should be) Japanese mailbox, set against a strong yet graceful evening sunbeam casting its shadow. It was a breathtaking moment, and that image captured my heart. I don’t remember the artist’s name or the title of the piece. Furthermore, I’m not entirely sure why it left such an impression on me, but I believe it was the power of expression through “photography” itself that resonated with me.
There was an atmosphere that seemed to convey something profound, even though it was just an ordinary mailbox. While I was writing my name in the guestbook, I absentmindedly glanced around the exhibition space and realized something remarkable. There were about ten or so attendees, and I hadn’t heard a single conversation among them. It was silent, and then it dawned on me—they were all communicating in sign language. It was at that moment that I realized the exhibition was showcasing the works of “deaf, hearing-impaired”
Naoki Kimura, interview conducted by Literary Revelations – You can read the entire interview HERE.
Literary Revelations is ecstatic to announce that at the end of June, we will unveil a stunning photo album by the talented Japanese artist Naoki Kimura!
Experience the art of black and white like never before!
Discover a world where every shade tells a story. Immerse yourself in striking contrasts and timeless elegance with our upcoming monochrome photography collection. Each image captures emotion, detail, and beauty.
A short introductory video and a beautiful photo of Naoki Kimura:
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