Originally from Tokyo and based in Montréal, I work as a storyteller through photography, capturing fleeting, often overlooked moments and transforming them into imaginary worlds. My work explores the hidden tensions within individual and collective life, reflected in the transient beauty and fragility of nature. At the same time, it seeks to transcend the limitations imposed on language, photography, and ourselves. Rooted in personal experience, each piece invites reflection and opens space for interpretation.
Materiality is central to my practice. The choice of materials and handmade processes allows each work to align closely with its themes, where texture and physical presence become inseparable from photographic expression. I incorporate a range of techniques—including handmade washi paper, alternative photographic processes, and contemporary methods such as laser cutting—to extend the possibilities of the medium. Poetry often enters my work, adding emotional and narrative depth.
I see imagination as a force that can foster connection within natural environments, while also offering a point of departure from personal and social constraints. Through my work, I invite viewers to sense light within the unseen and to reflect on their own potential.
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:
2026 Maison de la culture Saint-Laurent " The Other Side " ( upcoming )
2026 S3 gallery TOKYO " A Tree-Mai " Tokyo, Japan ( upcoming )
2025 Rencontres de la photographie en Gaspésie " The Other Side "
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