For decades Japanese Photography was dominated by alpha males like Araki epitomising the machismo culture of the land of the rising sun. In the last ten years a new generation of female artists have gained more exposure with the likes of Hermosa and Rinko Kawauchi gaining international reputation.
This exhibition gives a great insight into the work of the latter by combining several of her series which are revolving around nature, weddings and the little odd sensations of everyday (dull) Japanese life outside the big metropolitan areas. And it has a particular (Japanese) female connotation of intimacy and delicacy that is quite similar to that of Hermosa which I have also seen in many other lesser known colleagues while I was visiting Japan for a couple of months in 2001.
Kawauchi says: "For a photographer, it's a necessity that you can shoot stuff magically. Accidents are necessary, but after I take a photograph, it is not over. I work on it more." She suggests that the editing and presentation of the work is as important to the final image as composing and taking the photograph. All pieces are presented behind formalizes glass and there is always a feeling of just the right presentation size for a subject. Quite magical indeed!
As with most of the shows in this location: a perfect lunch retreat complemented by an 18 minute DVD loop showing an abundance of her seemingly endless footage.
The Photographer's Gallery, Leicester Square - until 9 July
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