EVENT DESCRIPTION
From June 6, 2025, Blue Lotus Gallery on Pound Lane will present Pilgrimage, an intimate exhibition uniting the work of two acclaimed photographers: Michael Kenna (b. United Kingdom, 1953) and Yasuhiro Ogawa (b. Japan, 1968). Together, these visionary artists explore pilgrimage both as a physical journey through sacred landscapes and as an inner, spiritual quest for meaning, memory, and connection.
At the heart of Pilgrimage lies a compelling dialogue between two perspectives: Kenna, the outsider, captivated by Japan’s spiritual essence; and Ogawa, the insider, whose intimate portrayals of everyday life evoke a profound emotional resonance.
Kenna’s photographs, made over more than four decades, are gentle and contemplative—black-and-white meditations on silence, time, and place. In contrast, Ogawa’s are emotive and visceral, rich in texture and tones that emerge from inky shadows, revealing iconic motifs recast through his poetic gaze. Where Kenna drifts in stillness, Ogawa presses into presence. Together, their work unveils two distinct ways of seeing—and feeling—Japan.
More than a celebration of two master photographers, Pilgrimage is a tribute to Japan’s cultural and spiritual heritage, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on their own inner journeys.
The exhibition space will be adorned with Japanese antique objects, carefully chosen to reflect the theme.