Profile: Yoko Ono
Born 1972 in Aichi prefecture, Japan
She graduated from the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music with a degree in Japanese Art studies. After graduating she remained at the University to work on the Reproduction Program for the paintings designated as National Treasures in Japan. She also worked as an adjunct instructor in the arts department of the Aichi Prefectural Asahioka High School. In 1999 she made her debut in the world of photography, and has been active both in Japan and abroad, focusing her practice on architecture, stage performances, coverage of events, in addition to other subject matter. Her solo and group photography exhibitions include "Dong Village" (2006), "Traveling through Asia - Myanmar 2005," "Yemen - The Heartland of Arabia" (2007), and "Female Photographers' Olympus E-410 Exhibition" (2007).
What is important to know about this piece?
Summer is a season of memories. I tried to express a summer scene that causes you to reminisce, using my two-year-old daughter as the primary element and putting together pictures with movement. I shot the photos in color, but after thinking about my intent for this work, decided to process them to create monochromes. While photographing, rather than trying to figure out what effects to use or what colors to create, I concentrated on the shooting itself. This is because my subject was a child, who frequently would not stay still.
What made you start taking pictures?
My husband is a photographer and I thought I could learn it from him. Originally, I worked with Japanese-style painting where a single work often requires a long time to complete and your original idea or impression can fade during this period. On the other hand, a photograph can capture the experience in an instant, which suits my personality.
What is most important to you when shooting a photo?
I don't really like to manipulate things in creating an image. I want to capture my subject's natural state of being, to show their world.
