Nobuyoshi Araki
JapanBiography of Nobuyoshi Araki
Nobuyoshi Araki, a Japanese photographer, began taking photographs at the age of 12 when he received his first camera from his parents. In 1959, he enrolled at Chiba University, where he studied photography and film. Araki later started working as a photographer at the advertising agency 'Dentsu', and in 1964, he received his first award as a photographer. By the mid-1960s, Araki had become a popular photographer in Japan, and he had several exhibitions. It was at 'Dentsu' that he met his future wife, Yōko Araki, and they got married in 1971. Their honeymoon trip changed Araki's genre as a photographer, and upon their return, he published the photo album 'Sentimental Journey'. In 1972, Araki left advertising to become an independent photographer. By that time, his photographs had already departed from childlike subjects. His works began to feature explicit close-ups of female genitalia and various parts of the female body, which shocked conservative Japan in the 1970s. Despite controversies and fines for pornography, Araki continued to capture as much material as possible, often venturing into red-light districts. In 1974, Araki co-founded a photography school with other Japanese photographers, but it did not last long. However, his next project, a studio-school, lasted until 1979. In the same year, Araki traveled to the United States for the exhibition 'Japan: A Self-Portrait'.
Exploring Intimate Photography and Controversy
Diving deeper into intimate photography, Araki embraced the reputation of being a pornographer, as he believed that adding a touch of dirtiness elevated his work beyond pure, intellectual, and uninteresting erotica. In 1990, his wife Yōko, who had been his main model, passed away. Araki continued to photograph Yōko, even during her hospitalization, capturing moments leading up to her surgery. Interestingly, he did not part with his camera even when he himself was hospitalized with prostate cancer. He even photographed a nurse shaving his pubic area before the surgery. The surgery was successful, and soon after, Araki was back in the clubs and red-light districts, seeking out "hotter" subjects.
By the present, Nobuyoshi Araki has published around 300 photo albums. Although many consider these books to be pornographic, their popularity has not diminished. Araki's two main themes are women and flowers. Interestingly, even the flowers in his photographs are difficult to categorize as pornography. The close-up shots of flower buds are so ambiguous that they evoke the same associations in everyone. Araki's foray into the film industry, particularly the movie 'High School Girl Fake Diary', was a disappointment for his fans. However, in the documentary film 'Arakimentari' released in 2006, Araki became the main subject.
Unapologetic and Renowned
Araki is known for his unabashed honesty and willingness to grant interviews. He is unashamed of his somewhat scandalous reputation, stating, "Photography for me is an act of love. If I don't feel any sexuality when looking through the viewfinder, I already know the photo won't turn out." Araki's work has garnered the admiration of artists like Björk, who even modeled for him, and Lady Gaga, with whom Araki collaborated recently.
Despite the criticism and explicit nature of his work, Nobuyoshi Araki's photographs are included in many museum collections, including the Tate and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
