This collection of works was released two years after his previous work, "AMAGATSU," which won the New York Art Directors Club (NYADC) Gold Award.
This book tackles the universal theme of "flowers," a subject that many photographers have sought to achieve ultimate beauty, and captivates viewers with its refined beauty. Ueda photographed the flowers his wife had arranged in the garden of their newly relocated home near the sea in the sunshine. The series captures not only the vibrant blooms of flowers, but also those in the process of withering. This work embodies Ueda's unique aesthetic sense, capturing the play of light and shadow, as well as the passage of time.
Ueda frequently uses the 8x10 large-format camera, and this work was shot with one as well, its overwhelming resolution and detailed depiction creating a sense of depth and tranquility in the photographs. The book also fits the 8x10 format without compression, allowing the viewer to experience the realism of the prints as if they were being viewed directly. The binding was designed by art director Kaoru Kasai. The white cloth-bound box and book itself have a simple and sophisticated design that accentuates the delicate beauty of the flowers that are the subject of the book. The binding harmonizes beautifully with the artwork, and it has been highly praised as a work of art in its own right.
[Title] FLOWERS
[Publisher] Korinsha Publishing
[Date of publication] November 19, 1997
[Number of pages] 104 pages
[Size] Approx. 32.2 x 26.8 x 2.4 cm, 1.59 kg
[Format] Cloth-bound hardcover
[Title Reading] Flowers
[Authors/Editors] Yoshihiko Ueda/Author, Shunji Ito/Text, Kaoru Kasai/Book Design
[Printing] Korinsha/Printing, Shin Nippon Books/Binding
[ISBN] 4-7713-0262-6 C0072
[Condition] Used [4] Average to below average (Case stains and slight discoloration, spine title slightly peeled, slight stains on front and back covers, slight stains on three sides, slight stain on rear endpaper)
[Accessories] Fabric-covered slipcase ( outer bag missing), publication guide, order postcard
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[Related Exhibition] 2025 Tomio Koyama Gallery Roppongi (Tokyo)
Yoshihiko Ueda (1957-)
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1957.
After graduating from Osaka College of Photography, he studied under photographers Masanobu Fukuda and Taiji Arita.
After going independent in 1982, he has worked on a wide range of editorial work, advertising photography, and commercial films, winning numerous prestigious awards both in Japan and abroad, including the Tokyo ADC Award, the New York ADC Award, and the Cannes Graphics Silver Award, establishing himself as one of Japan's leading photographers.
In recent years, he has also worked with art director Hara Kenya on advertising photography for MUJI.
Meanwhile, he continues to work as an artist, publishing a number of photo books, including "At Home," which features his family, "Flowers," which focuses on flowers, and "Materia," which captures the tranquility of the forest.
In 2011, he opened his own photography gallery, Gallery 916 (Takebashi, Tokyo).
His diverse activities include the release of his first feature film, "The Camellia Garden," in 2021, which he wrote, directed, and cinematographed.
