It seems strange that in the era of the internet there should still be major photographers outside the U.S. who do not receive the recognition they deserve. Certainly Kishin Shinoyama has to be considered a major photographer by any standard, and yet there is comparatively little information about him available online or anywhere else. In spite of the fact that he has published a number of critically acclaimed books, none are now in print and available to Americans readers. Even the 2009 police search of his home and office on suspicion of public indecency went largely unreported in the U.S.
It was only through a short article in Japan Times, whose Arts section is incidentally an excellent resource for those wishing to learn more about photography in Asia, that I first encountered Kishin's work earlier this week. The photos available online are very few in light of Kishin's long career and only give a hint of the breadth of his oeuvre. I had had no idea that Kishin was the photographer who had shot the iconic cover photo for John Lennon/Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album. Yoko Ono herself announced the exhibit of this work in 2010 at the Audi Forum in Harajuku. I was also intrigued that Kishin had in 1993 photographed the enigmatic artist Balthus at the artist's home in Switzerland. But probably Kishin's most interesting photo, at least for me, is his shocking portrayal of the controversial Japanese novelist Mishima as St. Sebastian. Even to someone unfamiliar with Mishima's writings, this is an incredible and totally original portrait. I can't believe I'd never seen it before.
According to Japan Times, a rare major retrospective of Kishin's work will be held in Shinjuku at the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery until December 24, 2012. I would consider this a "cannot miss" exhibit for anyone even slightly interested in photography who happens to be in Tokyo before the end of the year.
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