Exhibition: Nagi — Photographs by Tomoko Iki

CRS announces Nagi, an exhibition of portraits of pregnant women by photographer Tomoko Iki. The exhibition will be on view from February 2 – April 5, 2017. You are invited to attend an opening reception with the artist with performance by dancer Lale Sayoko, one of Iki’s subjects, and her family on February 4 from 6 – 8 pm.

Iki greatly enjoys her work and approaches her subjects with joy and reverence. As is evident in her portraits, Iki is able to bring her subjects to a place of stillness and self awareness, enabling them to accept, explore and share the divine feminine within themselves. Iki does not appear inside the photographs but her loving presence is implied in the soft, radiant expressions of her subjects. We don’t usually think of calmness as energetic, but through these serene portraits we can bear witness to the limitless power, strength and presence of spirit preparing to give birth. You can see more of her work at http://www.frauphoto.com.

THE ARTIST’S CONCEPT

Mystical, primitive energy exuded by pregnant woman reminds me of the feeling I get when surrounded and embraced by mother nature.

Equally powerful and inspiring pure gratitude emerges, and I feel a sense of hope and light.

Through mysterious pregnant women there is a feeling of layers of life history and life force.

The word “Nagi” has two meanings.
In an old Native American language it means “soul.”
In the old Japanese language it means “calm and silence.”

______

ARTIST STATEMENT

I started doing photography and dance when I was a university student. Inspiration from dance influences my photography. Above all, I am interested in femininity and the modern human’s relationship with nature. I have been taking woman’s portraits and photographs of nature since the beginning.

In 2011, I was really impressed by the beauty and power of my pregnant friend when I took her portrait. That was the impetus for launching my own studio for pregnant women. Since then, I have taken portraits of more than 1000 pregnant women.

In 2016, I moved to NY, and I am continuing to create photography incorporating the themes of femininity, nature and dance.

______

Bio

Born in Japan (1984)

Graduated from Department of Human Environment Design,
School of Life Studies, Sugiyama Jogakuen University.
Activities now based in New York.

2016 received the KAWABA NEW NATURE PHOTO AWARD in the category of Art in Nature.
2013, launched her own studio “Photo Salon Frau” in Tokyo.
2013, solo exhibition “mother” held at the Rhythm Warp in Nagoya.
2011, exhibited at the group exhibition “foto-n 2nd exhibition” (X Gallery at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art).
2011, launched her own studio “Photo Salon Frau” in Nagoya.
2010, solo exhibition “stile brau” held at the Valentine Drive in Nagoya.
2007, exhibited at the group exhibition “Kodo (Pulse)” at the Plastic Factory in Nagoya.
2007, started activities as a freelance photographer.