Nao Tsuda

Nao Tsuda, a Japanese photographer exhibiting internationally since 2001, began his career alongside Hiroshi Sugimoto, a major figure of modern Japanese art. His unique vision of nature and authentic approach to an eternal subject, the relationship between photography and time, constitute his signature. Tsuda captures lakes, mountain reliefs, mists, winds, and lunar trajectories from unprecedented angles, thus pushing the boundaries of photographic expression.

Lake Biwa, Japan’s inland sea, tells a story of transformation. Once animated by the constant coming and going of traditional boats, the lake offered a spectacle worthy of ukiyo-e prints. According to archives, no fewer than 1348 vessels plied its waters in 1689, creating a scene of daily life in the Edo period. Today, the landscape has changed. The boats of yesteryear have disappeared, giving way to a contemplative calm. Like extinct species, these vessels have become legend, now existing in tales and collective memory. Facing this lake steeped in history, Nao Tsuda has created several moonlit photographs, which will be exhibited at the photo edition of Private Choice in November 2024.

In 2010, Tsuda received the Minister of Education Award for New Artist in Fine Arts. Since 2017, he has held the position of visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts.