Michio Yamauchi’s “London” came about on suggestion of Zen Foto Gallery’s Mark Pearson – “Nobody photographs London, would you like to try it?”
Between May and September, 2018, Yamauchi captured a portrait of London’s streets so vibrant and colorful that browsing the book becomes a joy.
In “London,” Yamauchi practically relishes in his ignoring certain “rules” of street photography – there are many backs and necks in his photographs, and none suffer for it. Additionally, Yamauchi almost seems to relish in the questioning looks some of his subjects throw at his camera, somewhat blending the boundaries between street photography and portraiture.

“A group of three men impersonating police officers told me they need to check if I had any drugs on me and stole most of the cash from my bag. They were so clever, like magicians – no wonder this country created Sherlock Holmes.” (from Michio Yamauchi’s afterword)

Artist Profile

Michio YAMAUCHI

Michio Yamauchi was born in 1950 in Aichi Prefecture. He graduated from the Second Literary Department (no longer extant) of Waseda University. In 1980, he started night school at the Tokyo School of Photography (currently Tokyo Visual Arts School). In 1982, he graduated from the Tokyo School of Photography and took part in an independent gallery known as Image Shop CAMP, and began showing photographs in photography magazines and independent galleries. Since 1992, he has shot not only in Tokyo, but also in other major Asian cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dhaka. His solo exhibitions include “Tokyo 1983.2.-1986.2.,” Olympus Gallery (Tokyo, 1986); “TOKYO, Tokyo,” Ginza Nikon Salon (Tokyo, 2002); “CALCUTTA,” Konica Minolta Photo Plaza (Tokyo, 2004); “Tokyo 2009.12.,” Third District Gallery (Tokyo, 2010); “Hong Kong 1995-1997,” ZEN FOTO GALLERY (Tokyo, 2016). His publications include Hito-e (Place M, 1992); Stadt (Sokyusha, 1992); TOKYO 2005-2007 (Sokyusha, 2008); Keelung (grafica, 2010). He is the recipient of the 20th Tadahiko Hayashi Award (for “Keelung,” 2011) and the 35th Domon Ken Award (for “Dhaka 2,” fiscal 2015). His photographs are included in the collections of The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Tokyo and Shunan City Museum of Art and History, Yamaguchi.

Gallery Exhibitions