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Nobuyoshi Araki, born in 1940 in Tokyo, Japan. He is an artist who has spent his life capturing the essence of his surroundings and exploring various facets of photography and filmmaking. In the beginning, Araki’s lens was focused on natural landscapes and the bustling urban scenes of Tokyo. In 1963, his passion for the visual arts led him to complete his studies in photography and cinematography at Chiba University. The pivotal moment came in 1964 when he was recognized with the Taiyo Prize, an esteemed award for young photographers. The following year, in 1965, he showcased his first solo exhibition at the iconic Shinjuku Station Building in Tokyo.
In 1971, Araki’s life took a significant turn when he married Yoko Aoki. It was during this period that his fascination with the female form, particularly the nude, began to take center stage in his work. This thematic shift catapulted him into the limelight, and he gained considerable fame for his bold and intimate explorations. In 1981, Araki ventured beyond photography and directed his first and only film, High School Girl Fake Diary. This cinematic creation delves into the story of a young woman striving to establish herself in the soft-porn industry, showcasing Araki’s versatility as an artist.
From the 1980s onward, Araki’s exhibitions spanned the globe, earning him admiration from diverse audiences and critical acclaim from art experts. His extensive body of work boasts around 16,000 photographs taken over a decade, participation in approximately 200 solo exhibitions and 150 group exhibitions, and the publication of nearly 300 books that have reached audiences worldwide.