Profile

He had been pursuing a career as a commercial and magazine photographer in Japan for about 20 years. In 2011, a huge earthquake along with a massive tsunami disaster hit Northern Japan. He visited the affected areas and came across a lot of affected local area residents praying. From this inspiring scene, he decided to create these photography projects in order to send a peaceful message to the world. Prayer gives us peace and calm and hope for living to many people. He has been continuing his effort to make a positive impact in our world through his photography ever since.
He has been trying to build a meaningful bridge with different countries and carries on today around the world.
In 2013, he became a featured fine art photographer at Lumiere Brothers Gallery in Moscow. In 2014, he was invited "International Photo Festival 'PHOTOVISA' in Krasnodar, Russia. In 2017. he was invited to participate in "International Photo Festival‘ PHOTO FEST’" in Astana, Kazakhstan

Personal Statement

Through my visits to the disaster-stricken areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, I witnessed many people praying towards the sea, which took a lot of lives. I think the world is going through a lot of divisiveness right now, and terrorist attacks occur in many places too. It's full of sad stories in the world. Every Project focuses on the portrayal of inside prayers, and the purpose of each project is sending a positive impact to the world. I am currently making 4 projects.
Praying brings our minds tranquility and peace. I want to make a beautiful bridge to connect countries with each other. I cannot rebuild the life of survivors or affected people. But I can cast a small stone into the waters and create many ripples. My stone is this project. I am trying to express the hidden energy of prayer in my photographs.

This led to my encounter with photography.

Profile - PDF

  • profile

  • 1958

    Born in Tokyo Japan

  • 1980

    Graduated from the Department of Economics at Nihon university. Afterwards, worked as an assistant at a commercial studio.

  • 1988

    Became a commercial, freelance photographer
    I began taking pictures for my "Big tree in the world" series. I traveled all over the world to photograph the biggest trees on the earth. The main places I covered were Madagascar, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Taiwan, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, UK and Tasmania.

  • 2011

    After the big tsunami disaster, I had started my new project.

  • 2013

    Signed a consignment agreement with the Lumiere Brothers Gallery in Moscow, Russia.

  • 2014

    Was invited to participate International Festival of Photography "PHOTOVISA" in Krasnodar, Russia.

  • 2017

    Was invited to participate "International Photo Festival "PHOTO FEST" in Astana, Kazakhstan"

  • 2018

    Nov 9th - 12th, 2018
    Took part in Taipei Art Photo.I will show and sell my project.

  • 2019

    April 17th - May 12nd, 2019
    Took part in Inter National Photo Festival in Novosibirsk Russia.
    I will show and make a lecture.



  • Publish Works

  • 2002

    "The earth inheritance, the last big trees in the world". The series was published by Kodansha in Japan.

  • 2005

    "The earth inheritance, the big BAOBAB trees". It was published by Kodansha in Japan.

  • 2012

    "The Venerable Trees in Japan". It published it from Kodansha in Japan.

  • 2014

    “BORDER”. It published it by Ouka Published company in Japanease.



  • Exhibitions

  • 1993

    Ienohikarikaikan gallery in Tokyo

  • 1996

    Fuji Photo salon in Tokyo

  • 2009

    CANTELMO gallery in New York, USA

  • 2010

    Gallery Cosmos in Tokyo

  • July 21st〜Sep 21st 2014

    Lumiere Brothers center for Photography, Moscow, Russia

  • Oct 3rd〜23rd 2014

    "Epsite" EPSON imaging Gallery in Tokyo

  • Nov 2014

    International Festival of Photography"PHOTOVISA"
    in Krasnodar, Russia

  • Nov 9th to 12nd,2018

    took part in " Taipei Art Photo 2018
    enter

  • April 25th - May 25th, 2019


    Had a solo exhibition in " Chelyabinsk State Museum ", Russia.
    enter

  • Oct 18th - 19th, 2019


    Had a Samurai-Foto exhibition in " The Shatto Gallery "in LA, USA.
    enter

  • November 19th - December 15th, 2019

    Had solo exhibition in The Timiryazev State Museum, Moscow Russia.
    enter

  • Jan 22nd - May 30th, 2021


    Had a Samurai-Foto exhibition in The Museum of Nature and Man in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
    enter

  • October 20th, 2021 - January 16th, 2022

    Had solo exhibition in The Timiryazev State Museum, Moscow Russia.
    enter

  • Feb 9th - 18th, 2022


    43 pieces of his artworks were exhibited at the white gallery in Novosibirsk Russia.
    enter

  • November 8th - 13th, 2022

    Had solo exhibition in The National Historical Museum (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic)
    Report Short Video https://youtu.be/DNaH-I8GbkI
    enter

  • November 10th - 20th, 2022

    Had solo exhibition in The Almaty Gallery (Almaty, Kazakhstan)
      Report Short Video https://youtu.be/Twptgz-axdA
    enter

  • November 18th - 27th, 2022

    Had solo exhibition in The National Art Museum of Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan)
    Report Short Video https://youtu.be/ql29TpkhGNM
    enter



  • Awards

  • 1995

    New York Festival International Bronze Award

  • 1996

    Minister of International Trade and Industry Award, featured in national exhibition calendar in Japan



  • Permanent Collection

  • 2017

    The Museum of Photographic Arts San Diego (California, United States)

  • May, 2022

    Ploshchad’ Mira, a Contemporary Art Museum(Krasnoyarsk , Russia)

Contact

Please Contact us for inquiries and to view the prints.

Shigeru Yoshida

Urbis inc.
255-13 Toriyama-chou Kouhoku-ku Yokohama-city, Kanagawa-PRF, Japan
Tel: +81 45 474 3917
Mobile: +81 90 8874 6824

bigtree.photo@gmail.com