HANGWAN, 2021

Born in 1967 in Hokkaido, Japan, Atsushi Suwa studied oil painting at Musashino Art University, graduating in 1992. Two years later he was nominated by the Department of Culture of Japan to be an Overseas Art Trainee and traveled to Spain. In 1995, he became the first Asian artist to receive the top award at the 5th International Painting Competition, presented by the Fundacion Barcelo in Mallorca, Spain. After resuming his career in Japan, he went on to receive the Award for Excellence at the 22nd Rising Artists Exhibition, presented by the Sompo Japan Museum of Art in 2003. Since 1994, he has been holding solo exhibition in galleries and art museums in Japan and overseas, including Realist with Compound Eyes, the Sato Museum of Art, Tokyo (2008), Can’t See Anything Anyway, Suwa City Museum of Art, Nagano (2011), Sleepers, Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, Hong Kong (2014). He has also participated in group exhibitions all over the world.

The Collotype, invented in France approximately 150 years ago, stands as a pillar of quality and versatility in the history of photographic prints. Artists can achieve an enormous range of aesthetic possibilities with the help of highly-skilled master printers. We are deeply honoured to be able to present in collotype six works within this special mini-portfolio. From accordionists, lovers and artists, Doisneau’s photographs infuse images of daily life with poetic nuance. Carefully hand printed in black and white by the craftsmen of Benrido Atelier in Kyoto Japan, we are grateful to have the opportunity to express in collotype the unique and anecdotal account of Doisneau’s Paris.