Based in Tokyo, Japanese artist and photographer Makoto Oono specialises in dazzling, close-up still-life photographs that beguile and confuse the viewer.
The recipient of the Japan Photo Award, his work is a favourite of international fairs including Off Print, Tate Modern, the LA Book Fair and the NY book fair. He has exhibited widely across Asia with numerous solo exhibitions in Tokyo, China and Taiwan. His work is also featured in publications including most recently Still Life (SamePaper 2020) and Elephant magazine’s Spring Summer 2021 issue.
“In this exclusive work for Elephant Kiosk, he combines bulbs, jewel fish and strawberries bought in a Hong Kong market”
Oono’s ongoing projects are inspired by his travels across Asia and his fascination for local produce and species. In this exclusive print for Elephant Kiosk, titled Species Migration, he combines bulbs, jewel fish and strawberries bought in a Hong Kong market in 2020. They are juxtaposed with the artificial objects found in his hotel room (a safe, a comb) creating a new kind of visual vernacular for the contemporary city. The artist describes the work as a “quiet expression of the never-ending journey of these tiny creatures as they trade in life and genetic improvement.”
The edition of 50 is an archival giclee print on A3 semi-gloss; available now and only through Elephant Kiosk.
