Koji Murata
Photography
村田 光司
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
For many years, I have focused on the unique cultural heritage of Japan—a history spanning over two millennia—with a particular emphasis on nature worship and the deep relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Through my creative process, I came to realize that the gifts we receive from nature are not merely material, but fundamentally spiritual. I believe it is essential to remember that we ourselves are part of nature, and that we must live in harmonious coexistence with it, grounded in deep gratitude.
Drawing upon the tradition of Japanese art, which looks beyond realistic depiction to portray philosophy and core principles, I incorporate these traditional expressions into my work. By pursuing unique photographic techniques using traditional washi paper, I seek to give form to the profound spiritual world woven between humanity and nature.
English / 日本語
ON MY ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
Since childhood, I have been strongly drawn to Japanese painting and woodblock prints. About ten years ago, I chose photography as my means of artistic expression and have been creating works ever since. Alongside conventional photographic expression, I have also been exploring the fusion of photography with the aesthetics of Japanese painting and woodblock prints. When I experimented with adding contour lines—a defining feature of ukiyo-e—to my photographs, I discovered the powerful impression and effect these lines could create, and I became captivated by it. What I am pursuing is not realism, but new possibilities for photographic expression.
CV
Koji Murata
- born in Shiga prefecture, Japan in 1958.
- have started to take photographs by digital single-lens reflex camera, do image processionand color management officially since 2008.
- was fascinated by printing on Japanese paper and then started to study the gradation peculiarity on every printing paper.
- became a member of Samurai Foto in 2013.
- "Japanese Beauty" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (2013)
- SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Yamagata, Japan (2014)
- the finalist of the Photolucida Critical Mass in 2016
- "Emerging Visions of Japan" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Yokohama, Japan (2017)
- "Making a beautiful bridge" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Yokohama, Japan (2018)
- the finalist of the Photolucida Critical Mass in 2019
- "Endless Discovery" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (2020)
- "The Power of Photography" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (2021)
- the finalist of the Photolucida Critical Mass in 2022
- "The Defense of Peace" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (2022)
- "SEEING SPIRIT" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (2023)
- Four works have been permanently added to the collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Russia.
- "Transcendence" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, curated by Deborah Klochko, Honorary Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA). (2024)
- "Transcendence" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition at KYOTOGRAPHIE KG+, Japan, curated by Deborah Klochko, Honorary Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA). (2025)
- "Offering" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition at SAQ Gallery in Mexico City. (2025)
- "LUMINOUS" SAMURAI FOTO exhibition at KYOTOGRAPHIE KG+, Japan, curated by Deborah Klochko, Honorary Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA). (2026)
- the finalist of the Photolucida Critical Mass in 2026
Samurai Foto web site