Masahisa Fukase

author · photographer

Japanese^[1,5] b. 25 February 1934, Bifuka, Hokkaido, Japan^[1,2,4] d. 9 June 2012^[1,3] active 1968–2012

Masahisa Fukase (1934–2012) was a radical and experimental Japanese photographer known for his emotionally intense and often raw photographic style. Born in Hokkaido into a family of photographers, he studied at Nihon University and worked in advertising before becoming a freelance photographer in 1968. He emerged as a significant figure in post-war Japanese photography, particularly through his association with the 'Provoke' era. His work is characterized by a deep, sometimes obsessive exploration of personal relationships, domestic life, and nature, exemplified by his series on his wife Yōko, his parents' photo studio, and his extensive series on crows and cats. His distinctive aesthetic, which often utilizes blur, high contrast, and unconventional framing, reflects a profound psychological depth.^[1,2,4,5]

• domestic life
• obsession
• nature
• abstract photography
• Provoke movement