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Love by Leica
Love by Leica
Nobuyoshi Araki
June 16, 2025
Nobuyoshi Araki, Journey to death, from the series „Sentimental Journey“, Japan 1971
© Nobuyoshi Araki, Courtesy OstLicht, Vienna
Nobuyoshi Araki (*1940) is considered Japan’s most famous contemporary photographer, and one of the most radical and influential photography artists of our time. His oeuvre is as provocative as it is individual. Renowned for his controversial nude photography and intimate studies of the female body – a recurring theme in his work – he is considered one of the most impactful figures in the international art world. Throughout the decades he has developed a unique visual style, characterised by a poetic depiction of human passion that goes beyond the aesthetics of Japanese culture.
Araki’s artistic career began in 1963/64 with documentary photographs of children in urban environments. This was followed by a visual diary of his honeymoon, which later gave rise to the legendary photo book Sentimental Journey. In the 1970s, Araki distanced himself from press and reportage photography, turning his attention to the existential dimensions and abysses of human life, with an increasing focus on erotic themes.
The Ostlicht Gallery is now showcasing a selection of Araki’s works spanning five decades, shot both in colour and black-and-white. In series such as Love by Leica (2006) and Last by Leica (2012–2014), the artist captures female protagonists and urban landscapes in atmospheric black-and-white compositions – while works such as Flowers and Jamorinsky show lush floral still lifes in a portrait-like style. In addition, the exhibition features an extensive selection of unique Polaroids.
Ulrich RüterAraki’s artistic career began in 1963/64 with documentary photographs of children in urban environments. This was followed by a visual diary of his honeymoon, which later gave rise to the legendary photo book Sentimental Journey. In the 1970s, Araki distanced himself from press and reportage photography, turning his attention to the existential dimensions and abysses of human life, with an increasing focus on erotic themes.
The Ostlicht Gallery is now showcasing a selection of Araki’s works spanning five decades, shot both in colour and black-and-white. In series such as Love by Leica (2006) and Last by Leica (2012–2014), the artist captures female protagonists and urban landscapes in atmospheric black-and-white compositions – while works such as Flowers and Jamorinsky show lush floral still lifes in a portrait-like style. In addition, the exhibition features an extensive selection of unique Polaroids.
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Nobuyoshi Araki
Nobuyoshi Araki+-
was born in Tokyo on May 25, 1940. His father was an enthusiastic amateur photographer, who gave him his first camera when he was twelve years old. After studying Photography and Film at the Chiba University of Tokyo (1959–64), Araki went to work for Dentsu, the largest advertising agency in the country. In 1972, he began to dedicate himself exclusively to photography. His provocative images ensured that he gained rapid fame in Japan, and the whole world followed. Various models of Leica cameras are among his favourites. Over six decades, he has produced a plethora of photographs, books and films. He remains one of Japan's most significant and productive photographers. More
Nobuyoshi Araki, Journey to death, from the series „Sentimental Journey“, Japan 1971
© Nobuyoshi Araki, Courtesy OstLicht, Vienna
Nobuyoshi Araki, Untitled (Self-portrait with Yoko), from the series ‘Colourscapes’, Japan 1991
© Nobuyoshi Araki, Courtesy OstLicht, Vienna
Nobuyoshi Araki, Untitled, #49 from the series „Love by Leica“, Japan, c. 2006
© Nobuyoshi Araki, Courtesy OstLicht, Vienna