Auckland Festival of Photography Trust proudly presents an exclusive exhibition of Mayumi Suzuki's 'The Tide's Gift II" , a long term project series, with a revised curated selection of images as part of our ‘Movement’ [Kori] theme presented on outdoor lightboxes.
Born into the third generation of a photography studio in Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, Mayumi Suzuki grew up with a deep connection to photography and has created works that convey a sense of liberation through storytelling, using photography to weave her narratives. Her debut piece, The Restoration Will, is a powerful body of work that quietly acknowledges the tragic events that befell her and her family during the Great East Japan Earthquake, yet she continues to look forward. In her second project, HOJO, she shares a story based on her experience of giving up on her IVF treatment. Both series were shown at the Rencontres d'Arles, earning the photographer recognition both in Japan and abroad. The Tide's Gift, which she has been planning for eight years, counts as her third body of work. It is a project that uses photography to weave together the past, present, and future of her hometown, Onagawa, which was once completely wiped out by a tsunami.
Although the artist admits the project may still be in its early stages, she has decided to present it as an ongoing, evolving series. A hometown is something everyone should have and should exist anywhere around the world. By effectively using photography to capture the present, Suzuki layers various perspectives of the past that coexist with it. This allows the work to resonate with people of all ages and cultures through personal history, prompting us to reflect on how the places where we stand are built on the memories of countless people, inspiring us to live with integrity once again. This overall work was selected as a finalist for the T3 New Talent award and was exhibited at the T3 Photo Festival Tokyo last year, following an overseas touring exhibition.
The Festival acknowledges the Kana Kawanishi Photography Gallery, Japan for the courtesy text.
Thanks to the Auckland Council, Urban Development Office.
