Born in Tokyo in 1973 and now based in Buckinghamshire, UK, Tomoko Nagakawa is a photographer whose practice transcends conventional visual art forms. Her work blurs the boundaries between photography, printmaking, and object-making—inviting quiet contemplation and open-ended interpretation. Through a deeply meditative process, Nagakawa creates tactile, emotive pieces that awaken the unconscious and reveal the unseen.
At the core of Nagakawa’s artistic vision is a desire to forge intimate connections between the physical and the ephemeral. Her work often begins with a careful selection of materials—surfaces and inks chosen with the same sensitivity one might use when selecting the perfect letterhead. Each print becomes a vessel, a letter composed not with words, but with texture, rhythm, and presence.
Applying emulsion in sync with the cadence of her own breath, Nagakawa embeds her bodily existence into each piece. These gestures, subtle yet deliberate, form a language of slowness and intentionality. Like handwritten notes sent across time and space, her works carry not just images, but sensations traces of memory, silence, and forgotten feeling.
Her approach to photography is inherently poetic. Rather than documenting the visible, Nagakawa seeks to give form to the invisible to what is felt but not always seen. Through her unique printing techniques and choice of surface, she creates works that ask to be touched, held, and experienced beyond the eye.
Her artistry has been recognized across Europe, with exhibitions and awards that mark her growing international presence. Notable highlights include her selection for FRESH EYE Talent (2021), and participation in renowned festivals such as InCadaqués Photo Festival, ZeroPixel Festival, and Revela’T in Barcelona. She was the recipient of the Scabar Award in 2021 and has since held solo and group exhibitions across Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Tomoko Nagakawa is currently represented by Hungry Eye Gallery.
Website: Tomoko Nagakawa
Instagram: tomoko_nagakawa
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