Photographs Reflecting Araki's Vision

Last October, Araki lost sight in his right eye due to central retinal artery occlusion. However, viewing photography as his life's work, he has continued to shoot at his usual prolific pace.

This exhibition is named in homage to 'Love on the Left Bank,' a 1954 photobook by his admired predecessor Ed van der Elsken, in which he famously had women pose in the same way for his photographs. For this show, Araki has blacked out the right half of the positive film from his shoots, printing photographs from the remaining left half. Thus, the images directly project his world as seen through both eyes, with the right side obscured, presenting works that seem to embody Araki's very own field of vision.

Taka Ishii Gallery will also release a limited edition of 300 copies of a photobook bearing the same title as the exhibition on May 25 (Sunday). Despite overcoming prostate cancer and facing the loss of sight in his right eye, Araki speaks with his characteristic flair, "Death is coming towards me, isn't it? I don't want to go towards it. I have to blow it away." These works offer a renewed sense of the photographer's resolve, as he has consistently chronicled his life through his images.

Nobuyoshi Araki 'Love of My Left Eye'
Dates | May 25 (Sunday) – June 21 (Saturday) *Closed Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
Hours | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue | Taka Ishii Gallery
1-3-2 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 5F
Tel. 03-5646-6050

Nobuyoshi Araki Photobook 'Love of My Left Eye'
Release Date | May 25 (Sunday)
Publisher | Taka Ishii Gallery
Specifications | H140 x W210mm, softcover, 64 pages, 102 images
Edition Size | 300 copies
Price | Not yet determined