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Shomei Tomatsu

Shomei Tomatsu

Skin of the Nation
Art & PhotographyBiography
Pages
224
Published
2004
Language
English

Synopsis

Shomei Tomatsu, born in 1930, came of age amidst the devastation of World War II in Japan. He began his photography career in 1950, becoming a sensitive observer of postwar Japan, drawing on Surrealism and Western documentary traditions. This comprehensive catalogue, the first in English, explores his fifty-year career, artistic influences, and historical context, including never-before-translated writings by Tomatsu himself.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeIntellectualReflective

Genres

Art & Photography Biography Photography

Authors

J
John W. Dower

John W. Dower is a historian whose work, including the National Book Award winner Embracing Defeat, explores the complexities of modern Japan. He offers deep insights into the nation's post-war transformation and its cultural shifts.

L
Leo Rubinfien

Leo Rubinfien writes about photography and also works as a curator. He is known for his book Shomei Tomatsu, which offers a close look at the Japanese photographer's work. His writing helps readers understand photographic art.

S
Sandra S. Phillips

Sandra S. Phillips writes extensively on photography, with books exploring the works of major artists like Shomei Tomatsu, Georgia O'Keeffe, Ansel Adams, John Gutmann, and André K

S
Shomei Tomatsu

Shomei Tomatsu was a Japanese photographer recognized for his impactful images of post-war Japan. His collections, often titled Shomei Tomatsu or Tōmatsu Shōmei, document the country's transformation with a direct, unvarnished style. He remains a key figure in modern photography.