With Meisa Fujishiro, Tokyo’s Nudes Stand Tall

Fascinated by his environment, whether urban or natural, Meisa Fujishiro connects it with the art form of female nudes, which he revisits in his series Sketches of Tokyo (2016). In the series, 53 women appear photographed in front of the Tokyo skyline.

The photographer, born in Chiba in 1967, explores a wide variety of themes in his photographs, from the fashion world to geographical documentary, and from portraits of anonymous individuals to those of celebrities. His work reflects his vision of the world, which he summarised when the series was exhibited at the in)(between Gallery in Paris as ‘beauty dispersed in all places.’

A horizon of desires

Sketches of Tokyo compiles over 220 black-and-white photographs. The series presents limbs, bodies facing each other, humankind anchored in its environment, the human perspective concerning desire, and the same perspective concerning what has been accomplished, visible on the horizon. The stress and hyperactivity inherent to city life and megalopolises fade to give way to stillness and a soothing sensation.

‘I don’t like using bombastic language when talking about my nude photography’, the photographer continues, explaining that he appreciates ‘the atmosphere and the powerful feeling created by the presence of a naked body in front of my lens. It’s naturally amusing.’

Further illustrating his interest in the genre, his series HIPS features women, models or otherwise, showing their buttocks. The women pose with their back to the camera, their underwear pulled down to their thighs or ankles. In public places, in the street or at home, they go about their everyday activities as if nothing were amiss.

Sketches of Tokyo (2016), a book of photographs by Meisa Fujishiro, is published by Seigensha Art Publishing.