Bruce Silverstein Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of work by world-renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama. This is the gallery’s first show with the artist since announcing his representation in New York.
Featuring a selection of work that surveys the artist's career, the exhibition focuses on and reinforces Moriyama's exploration of the quotidian and the search for freedom. Inspired by the writings of Jack Kerouac among many others, Moriyama's own life and artistic practice reflect a nomadic style guided by the desire to experience the multiplicities of the everyday. Wandering, and capturing the unfolding reality along the way, are essential to Moriyama's imagery, and distinguish him as a sophisticated voyeur of city life. The artist's photographic output is one of stylized, high contrast pictures that celebrate the everyday and transform what is seemingly normal into high drama.
Stray Dog, Misawa, an iconic image which is often interpreted as a self-portrait, evokes a sincere dedication to freedom. The dog, like the artist, navigates the city on its own terms, only having cursory interactions with subjects who are virtually strangers. Provoke No. 2 depicts a woman with her back to the photographer, barely aware of, or at least undeterred by, his presence. In contrast, image such as Light and Shadow #4 (Hat) and On the Table, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo are intimate and deeply considered portrayals of inanimate objects enlivened by Moriyama’s focus.
Major solo exhibitions of his work include William Klein + Daido Moriyama, Tate Modern, London (2012), On the Road, The National Museum of Art, Osaka (2011), Daido Retrospective 1965-2005 / Daido Hawaii, The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography (2008), Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo, Sevilla (2007), Foam, Amsterdam (2006); Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris (2016 & 2003); Fotomuseum Winterthur (2000); San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1999). Moriyama’s work is represented in countless private and public collections of esteemed cultural institutions worldwide.
Born in Osaka, Moriyama currently lives and works in Tokyo. He was most recently the recipient of the Hasselbad Foundation International Award in Photography, Gothenburg, Sweden (2019), the Lifetime Achievement award at the 28th Annual Infinity Awards from International Center of Photography, New York (2012); The Culture Award from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie, Cologne, Germany (2004); The Photographic Society of Japan Lifetime Achievement Award (2004); the Mainichi Art Award (2003) and the Japan Photo Critics Association Newcomer’s Award (1967).
