The opening reception for Beautiful Fukushima brought award-winning photographer Michael Kenna and the people who follow his work together at Kostuik Gallery in Yaletown. Beneath the gallery’s exposed brick and timber beams, the atmosphere was warm as guests moved between the framed prints and the display cases, discussing the 50 sepia-toned silver gelatin photographs that mark fifteen years since the natural disasters of 2011.
Michael, in a light blue jacket, settled at a table draped in white linen with a stack of portfolios and his pens within reach. For much of the early evening he signed books and keepsakes that patrons and collectors brought with them, looking up to talk with each person who stopped at the table and smiling often as they leaned in. Nearby, guests gathered in small groups, books in hand, talking among themselves, among them collectors, arts and culture media, gallery associates, and local Japanese language school students.
“It is always a treat to return to Vancouver, such a beautiful city with warm and friendly people,” Michael reflects. “Whenever I have an exhibition opening and book signing I am acutely aware of what a great privilege it is to be a practicing photographer. I have been lucky enough to stay in this profession for over fifty years! To have people turn up to look at my prints, and even occasionally to purchase them, is a situation that I will never take for granted.”
“Many of the patrons are true Michael Kenna followers and seek out a book signing if it’s close to them,” says gallery owner and director Jennifer Kostuik. “We had some people even drive up from Seattle WA! One gentleman who did bring a book he purchased of Kenna’s latest Italian collection is actually an elementary school mate of Kenna’s from England who has ended up in Lions Bay.”
Ten Hours Under the Moon
Every print in the exhibition is made by Michael’s own hand in his own darkroom, and that craft drew the evening’s closest attention. “Clients of the gallery and patrons all expressed how incredible the details were in these new images and asked Kenna questions about the long exposure and hand printing aspect of his photographs,” Jennifer recalls.
She offered one example. “The circular lines around the tree in Heidodan Sakura Tree, Study 205 were created by the moon moving across the night sky during the course of the 10 hour exposure of this image.”
Guests also had a clear favourite. “Definitely the most liked image of the evening was Inawashiro Lake Tree, Study 1 for its perfect depiction of the mirrored tree in the water,” Jennifer adds. “Very poetic.”
Fukushima’s Beauty and Resilience
Beautiful Fukushima began with an invitation from the Fukushima Prefectural Government to photograph the prefecture, and Michael returned three times. “I have tried to portray Fukushima’s beauty and resilience, fifteen years after the earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and resulting nuclear disaster at the Daiichi power station,” he explains. “I wanted to show the region’s recovery and regeneration, and I concentrated on its seascapes and lakes, mountains and forests, and also its religious heritage.”
Seeing the prints exhibited brought the journey back to him. “To see the work now printed and exhibited is exciting for me. The images bring back wonderful memories,” he adds. “I hope that viewers will also be able to appreciate how beautiful the prefecture is, and who knows, perhaps the prints may kindle a desire in others to also visit. I hope so.”
Before departing, Michael spoke to his gratitude, which extended to everyone in the room. “I am enormously appreciative to everybody who made the effort to come to the gallery. I particularly thank Jennifer Kostuik who represents my work, for her continued faith and belief in what I do. It was a truly delightful evening and I am already looking forward to the next time.”
The Photographer Behind the Prints
Michael Kenna was born in Widnes, Lancashire, in 1953. He studied at the London College of Printing before settling in San Francisco in 1977, and Seattle is home today. Five decades behind the camera have produced 47 books and close to 500 solo exhibitions, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago all hold his prints.
France has taken his life’s work into its national collection, with the archive housed at Fort Saint-Cyr, and in 2022 the French Minister of Culture named him Officier des Arts et des Lettres. Kostuik Gallery first showed his work in a 2019 group exhibition, and this dedicated solo presentation comes as the gallery celebrates 29 years.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition: Beautiful Fukushima, through November 1, 2026
- Location: Kostuik Gallery, 1070 Homer Street, Vancouver
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm
- Signed portfolio: A limited-edition mini-collotype portfolio of seven images from the series, signed by Michael Kenna, is available for purchase at the gallery.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury and luxury lifestyle niches. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read business magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and is an EIC for Hire. Connect with her here: [email protected].
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