Seiji Kumagai
“ Morito de Janeiro ”
1994Grand Prize
ARTIST STATEMENT
Morito de Janeiro
I began this Morito de Janeiro as an homage to Bruce Weber’s O Rio de Janeiro. This summer was really hot, but the energy emitted by people was also really something. That is what I expressed. Lastly, I would like to express my appreciation to Nahoko Kondo for her writing contributions.
Selecting judge: Fumio Nanjo
The instantaneous interpretation, structure, combinations, layouts are all really great. Not only that, his technique doesn’t scream for attention. It clearly shows the subject matter. It’s an inexpensive binding, but you can see the photo well. The summer light, the young people living there carefree, the various dramas of the night, and the human events all come across keenly.
PROFILE
Seiji Kumagai
Seiji Kumagai's primary pursuit is creating photographic works and producing photo collections. He opened a studio in 2020 where he teaches classes on color darkroom techniques and 8 x 10 cameras.
Currently living and working in Tokyo, he was born in Hakodate, Hokkaido in 1966 and graduated from Nihon Kogakuin College in 1987.
His solo exhibitions include Morito de Janeiro, Akarui Houhe, Spring,2011, Each Little Thing, Re Form, For the Joy of the Eyes, For the Delight of the Fingers, For This Great Bliss, I Will Serve, and Kokoro. He has put out numerous publications as well.
He operates the Bookshop Marukuma label at kumagaiseiji.buyshop.jp/
1994Grand Prize