-How did you get the idea for your entry?

This work embodies how I looked at women in my adolescence. When I think back on those days, I realize that how I looked with desire was mixed with a feeling of watching something sacred. When I photographed this work, I could experience that again. In 2006, I held a group exhibition with my friends, and the theme was “Hentai (Metamorphosis or sexual perversion).” I thought of turning my sentiment of adolescence into a work. The archetype of my entry was made then.
Afterwards, I continued photographing for half a year, and compiled the results into the entry for the competition. This is the second time I’ve entered New Cosmos of Photography. Last time I couldn’t win a prize. I understand that my work was not powerful enough.

-Your work won Fumio Nanjo’s Award in the second attempt.

I think this work is a series that is inclined to contemporary art. So, I was honestly delighted that it was Nanjo, a curator of contemporary art, who selected my work. It was very important for me that I won a prize, and was given a place for an exhibition. Because this work was originally based on my desires, there is a kind of fetishism. So I was afraid that this work might not be accepted by a wide range of people. I’m really happy that I was able to show my work at such an impressive place.

-Was there any change after you received the prize?

Some people who saw the exhibition wrote their opinions on my blog, and a request for a photo came from a person who saw the blog. I realized that so many people saw the exhibition. What is more, my parents were very pleased. As I want to continue this series, I’m glad that I could gain confidence. Nanjo said to me, “How you develop this work from here is decisive.” That’s encouraging.

-When was your first encounter with photography?

When I was twenty years old and a college student, I went around Japan by bicycle. I went to Hokkaido, and the landscape was so impressive that I felt the urge to take photos. I bought a camera immediately. Since then I’ve been photographing because I like it.
I was still unable to decide to become a professional photographer, and I took time off school to travel around the world. One morning when I was in Guatemala, I saw the morning sun coming into the washroom at the inn. Suddenly I made up my mind to become a photographer. I stopped traveling at once, came home, and entered a vocational school for photography to study photography again. Since then, I’ve been making works and shooting professionally. I’m going straight towards photography.

-Is there any advice to a person who is thinking about entering the competition?

What I understood through my experience is that you should produce a work that reflects your originality or a quality of yourself without worrying about unnecessary strategies. Looking back on my thoughts at the time of my first challenge, my wish to win a prize was too strong. Second time, I thought I should make an original work properly and show it to the public. Otherwise, the work will not appeal to people, I think.

-Is there a photographer who you think influenced you?

When I began photography, I admired Masafumi Sanai(*1) and Rika Noguchi(*2). I’m still very fond of works of Noguchi in particular. I’d like to buy some work of hers. I aim to become an artist who can produce marketable works.

*1 : Masafumi Sanai
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1968. He began full-scale activities as a professional photographer after winning an Excellence Award of New Cosmos of Photography 1995. His photo books include “Ikiteiru (Alive)” and “MAP.” In 2003, he won the 28th Kimura Ihei Award.

*2 : Rika Noguchi
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1971. In 1995, Noguchi won the Grand Prize of “Hitotsubo Exhibition,” an open photo competition. In 1996, she won the Grand Prize of New Cosmos of Photography 1996. Her photo series include “Diver,” “Fujiyama,” “Rocket Hill,” and “The Sun.” She continues exhibiting her works energetically at galleries and art museums inside and outside Japan.