Shoji Ueda: Illusion

llusion, organized by The Salt Yard in cooperation with Zen Foto Gallery, presents the last known series of work by the late Japanese master photographer Shjoi Ueda.
The series,’Illusion’ (1987 – 1992), is known as his last series of collections which differs considerably from his signature style. While also functioning as a form of diary of his inner dialogue at the time, this exhibition shows a lesser-known side of an internationally-renowned photographer and reveals his restless passion and experimentation in the photographic medium.

Shoji Ueda‘s works ranged from warm portraits of family members and friends, to nudes, to surreal tableaux reminiscent of Magritte. Later in his life, he took a leap in a new direction, capturing images of imaginary landscapes through arrangement of miniature sand dunes and creation of microcosms with objects placing upon his kitchen table. Many of the works were produced through double exposure with the use of a 645 camera.

Shoji Ueda (1913 – 2000) studed at Oriental School of Photography in Tokyo. After finishing the course, he started his own studio in his home town. His most well-known and successful works were photos of people photographed as objects posed in the dunes of Tottori, which are known as “Ueda-cho” and highly appreciated in the world, and in 1996, he was awarded the honor of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France.
In 1954, Shoji Ueda won the Nika Prize, in 1958, his works were selected by Edward Steichen for an exhibition at MoMA.
The Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography was founded in Kishimoto-cho (now Houki-cho) in 1995.