NOBUYOSHI ARAKI
2013-05-13Araki is the king of provocation. In a very particular – and arguably peculiar – way he has made the subject his own. And here we celebrate those images from his most controversial body of work, Kinbaku, the Japanese art of bondage. Kinbaku-bi meaning literally the beauty of tight binding. And yes, though strong and offensive to some, disturbing to others, the pictures are often beautiful.
Araki’s other great obsession, which he started photographing as a schoolboy, is the traditional districts of Tokyo. In his mind the two – the women and the city – seem to be inextricably linked as themes. He has often spoken of his fascination with beginnings, the idea of the womb, and his desire to uncover that which society seeks to conceal. Sex, death and the transitory nature of life are the ideas that persist throughout his work.
Exhibition runs through till June 8th, 2013
Michael Hoppen Gallery
3 Jubilee Place
London
SW3 3TD
