I take on the role of a storyteller by capturing fleeting moments of reality and weaving them into an expanded imaginary world. Through this process, I explore the mysteries, tensions, and conflicts that lie beneath individual lives and society. I reflect these themes in my work by drawing parallels with the transient beauty, fragility, and quiet dignity found in the natural world. Each of my works is rooted in personal experience, and at their core lies a desire to share experiences or to pose questions to the audience.
For me, the choice of materials and handmade processes is an essential aspect of aligning with the theme of each work. The texture and physicality of a piece are inseparable from my photographic expression. I incorporate a range of techniques—such as washi paper that I make myself from plants, alternative photographic processes, and contemporary methods like laser cutting—to expand the expressive potential of my work. I often incorporate my poetry into my photography to expand the emotional and narrative layers of each piece.
I believe that the power of imagination helps us create harmony with others in natural environments, and can also become the starting point for individuals to move forward through oppression and personal limitations.
Education
2019 Master of Fine Art, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
2010 Diploma of Photography, Tokyo Visual Arts, Japan
2007 Diploma of Advanced Darkroom course, Dawson College Montreal, Canada
2001 Diploma of B&W Darkroom course, International Center of Photography, NY, U.S.A.
1999 Bachelor of Humanity, Toyo Gakuen University, Japan
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2025 Rencontres de la photographie en Gaspésie " The Other Side "
2025 Soshi Mizumori, Morioka Japan, "A piece of Stone "
2023 Implexus Art Gallery, Morioka Japan," A piece of Stone"
2022 Multi-purpose center, The City of Saint Lambert, Saint Lambert , " A Tree Ⅱ "
2022 Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointes-aux-Trembles " Song of Clematis "
2022 Bibliotheque du Boise, Montreal " A piece of Stone"
2019 Maison de la culture Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal " A piece of Stone"
2017 Galerie D’ESTE, Montreal, " 木 A Tree "
2016 Photogallery MOMOZONO, Tokyo, "Green HoleⅡ " Sponsored by the Embassy of Canada
2015 Masataka Contemporary, Tokyo, "Green Hole "
2013 1839 contemporary Gallery ,Taipei-Taiwan "The Other SIdeⅡ”
2011 Gallery Tosei, Tokyo "The Other SideⅡ”
2011 Toyo Gakuen University, Tokyo "The Other SIdeⅡ"
2010 Tokyo Visual Arts gallery, Tokyo "The Other Side"
2006 Kodak photo salon, " Coconuts Time" Tokyo
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2024 Dazibao, Montreal, Canada
2023 The Nikkei National Museum, BC
2020 Transcultural Exchange, Boston ( online)
2018 The Darling Foundry, Montreal
2017 Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec, Montreal
2016 MFA gallery, Montreal
2015 YOUN Gallery, Montreal
2014 THE ART FAIR PLUS ULTRA ,Tokyo
2013 Emerging Director's Art Fair: ULTRA006,Tokyo
2012 Nofound PHOTO FAIR, Paris-France
2011 Emerging Director's Art Fair: ULTRA004, Tokyo
2009 Apple store, Tokyo
2008 Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo
Publication:
2022 Artist book " A Tree "
2011 “The Other Side” by Tosei-sha
Artist Talks & Lectures:
2022 Ville de Saint Lambert,QC
2021 Concordia University, Montreal,QC
2013 1839 Contemporary Gallery, Taiwan
2011 Gallery Tosei, Tokyo
2011 Toyo Gakuen University, Tokyo
Collection:
Gallery Tosei
Toyo Gakuen University
Canadian Center for Architecture
Bibliography:
-Photo exhibition“木-Tree” review by John K Grande, Ciel variable photo magazine, 2018
-Photo exhibition review on Nakano Keizai Newspaper,June 2016
-Photobook review by Dirk Rösler, Japan Exposure book shop, July 2012 (Online photo books article)
-Appearance in the program '' meets THE WORLD", 5 minutes talk Nippon Culture Broadcasting,
(Japanese radio station), Feb.4& 28 2012
-Photobook review, Commercial Photo magazine, Jan.2012
-Appearance in the program'' ARIGATO', 9 minutes talk, Television Kanagawa, (Japanese TV program), Feb.2012
-Photo exhibition review on Yomiurishinbun (Japanese Daily Newspaper), Nov.8, 2011
-Photobook article including 7 photographs by Yoshiaki Maeda
Nihon Camera (Photo magazine), November issue, 2011
Award:
2022 " Concept to Realization " Grant, Canada Council for the Arts
2021 " Vivacité " Grant, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec
2021 " Creation" Grant, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec
2017 Quebec Mobility Award by Québec’s Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur
2017 The Graduate Student Mobility Award by Concordia University
2017 Concordia University Conference and Exposition Award
2016 Concordia University, Faculty of Fine Arts Fellowship
2016 FAR Concordia University, Publication grant
2015 Concordia University, Faculty of Fine Arts Fellowship
Residency:
2018 Toono Natural Life Network in Japan
2018 Kyooto Universiy Wildlife research center in Japan