Koji Murata
Photography
村田 光司
Simple & minimal
(2018)
English / 日本語
I want to pursue what the freedom of expression is.
In paintings, for example, you only paint what you want and you don’t give any descriptions of the object if it isn’t needed. I want to do it in my photography. I don’t want to block human’s free imagination because of the expression of the reality within the photo-graphs. People would be stirred the interest freely from my artworks. This is my ideal for the photography.
There are many people who are tired and weary of their lives. Some people feel exhausted and have hard times to live through. I would like to create artworks which encourage people in such a hard situation. I think people need to conjure their imaginations. The expression of the reality blocks people’s free imagination. My artworks are not just the photography. I cut off the reality of things and I make it simple like Ukiyo-e. This artwork is a story of someone’s dream, which people in a hard situation become encouraged and start little by little to take steps forward. I hope people stir their imagination through my artworks.
* The artworks sam01, sam07, and sam11 have been selected for permanent collection at Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Russia.
Dry Leaves of Lotus Don’t you sometimes feel it is hard to live? As I look at a dry lotus, it seems like I am seeing myself.
Stone Buddha Statues Thoughts of people from about 1000 years ago are filled in these stone Buddha statues. Now, we are unable to know each of those thoughts.
An Old Castle This castle was the number one castle in Japan which was built about 400 years ago by the most powerful person then. By no means, power will last forever. A pine tree is the only thing there now.
Cicada Cicada lives for about 10 years. In its last summer, it falls in love with its best appearance, and then dies.
Fireworks Fireworks make me remember my childhood days when I was filled with hope. Fireworks set off into the sky, spring up and disappear together with my memories.
Clouds, River Flow and People Clouds, river flow and people are never static. People wander in their austere training journey of life.
A Stone Buddha Statue (Eleven-Faces Kannon) This stone Buddha statue is said to grant every wish to people. I wonder how much sorrow she had accepted.
The "Miracle Pine" The pine tree on the coast is the only thing that survived from the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. People’s thoughts go to the repose of souls and recovery as they see the pine.
The Water of Kamo River Tremendous amount of blood was shed in Kyoto because of struggle for power. The river washes away conflicts, people’s desire, and sorrow.
Red Spider Lilies Red spider lily is said to put an end to sorrow, allows one to face oneself, and heal the heart.
An Old Cherry Tree An old cherry tree is in full bloom again this year and will be out of bloom. I am sure that it will come to show us beautiful flowers next year too.
Lotus Flowers Once withered lotus flowers will make noble and beautiful flowers bloom from the mud.
Information
Printing: Archival pigment print
Media: Traditional Japanese paper
(1) Large size <edition: 5> (Media: Ise Washi 'Kiyora Baseo')
- Image size: 850 x 340 mm (33.5 x 13.4 inch)
- Media size: 950 x 420 mm (37.4 x 16.5 inch)
(2) Small size (A2) <edition: 10> (Media: Ise Washi 'IseHishi Husyo')
- Image size: 550 x 220 mm (21.7 x 8.7 inch)
- Media size: 630 x 420 mm (24.8 x 16.5 inch)