Japan House London presents its first-ever photography exhibition, Invisible, opening on 3 June 2026. The exhibition features two of Japan’s most influential contemporary photographers, Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai, offering a powerful exploration of visibility, memory, and identity.
The exhibition title, Invisible, reflects Kawada’s philosophy that photography reveals not only what is seen, but also what remains unseen—including the presence of the photographer.
Kawada Kikuji, born in 1933, is widely recognized for his profound visual documentation of Japan’s postwar transformation. His works span from the 1950s to the present, including his iconic series Chizu (The Map), which abstractly captures the aftermath of Hiroshima. Also featured is Los Caprichos (1968–1981), a series that marked a turning point in modern Japanese photography. Kawada was a founding member of the influential VIVO collective and gained international recognition, including exhibitions at MoMA in New York and a lifetime achievement award from the Photographic Society of Japan.
Iwane Ai, born in 1975 in Tokyo, brings a contemporary, cross-cultural perspective to the exhibition. Her series A New River was created in the Tōhoku region during the COVID-19 pandemic, blending nighttime cherry blossom scenes with figures from Japanese folklore to reflect themes of isolation and the unseen. Alongside this, her Kipuka series explores Japanese immigrant communities in Hawaii, particularly those with roots in Fukushima.
Curated by Sayaka Takahashi of PGI Gallery Tokyo, the exhibition marks the first time Kawada and Iwane’s works are presented together. It is also the UK debut exhibition directed by the team behind KYOTOGRAPHIE, one of Asia’s largest photography festivals, founded by Lucille Reyboz and Nakanishi Yūsuke.
Established in 2013, KYOTOGRAPHIE attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and promotes photography through exhibitions and educational programs. This vision continues in Invisible, which is accompanied by a series of public events and discussions inspired by the artists’ work.
“This is the first time Japan House London has dedicated an exhibition to photography,” said Simon Wright. “It is a privilege to present artists whose work reflects shared human experiences and encourages us to think about our collective future.”
The exhibition is supported by Epson UK Ltd.
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