When photography and lines meet. We bring you a report on the talk event, in which the artist also appeared.

This exhibition will consist of works that photographer Ittetsu Matsuoka has been collecting for many years, as well as new photographs taken during a visit to Yamanami Kobo, a welfare facility in Shiga Prefecture, and collaborative works with artists who work at the facility.

A talk event was held at the venue that day, featuring Matsuoka Ittetsu, Yamanami Kobo facility director Yamashita Kanwa, artists Yoshida Rikuto and Ino Yuki, and Park Rina of Heralbony, who was in charge of planning the event.


“ Paku: For a photographer, doesn't it take a bit of courage to have someone paint over your own work?

Matsuoka: That's true. But I didn't see them as "artists with disabilities," but as "people who are really good at drawing." So I didn't have any doubts. Rather, I was more excited about how we would fit in together.

Yamashita: From our perspective as staff, the act of "drawing" is an extension of their daily lives. For them, it's more like "play" or "daily routine" than art. So, drawing on Matsuoka's photos wasn't anything special; I think they just felt like, "If it's okay, I'll draw."

Matsuoka: That's really great. He just draws, slipping away all social meaning and evaluation. When I saw what he drew in my photographs, rather than thinking it was "good" or "beautiful," I thought, "The world looks a little different."

The meaning behind the title "Distant Closeness"

Baku : The title of this exhibition, "Far and Near," was thought up and named by Matsuoka-san.

Matsuoka: Even with people who are difficult to communicate with verbally, there are moments when you can understand them through tone or rhythm. I thought that was the "distance of closeness." Even if you don't understand, you're somehow close. That sense of distance is the most trustworthy for me.

Yamashita: I think that's exactly it. The staff working at Yamanami Kobo don't try too hard to "understand" each other. They just live together in the moment, that's all. That's why there's a kindness there that doesn't get too close.

Park: It's the same for HERALBONY. We value being "felt" rather than "understood. " I felt that the phrase "distant closeness" was connected to the core of our activities.

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What is normal?

Boku : The way you both look in the photos that Matsuoka-san took made me think again about what "normal" means.

Matsuoka: That's right. In Japan, "correctness" and "efficiency" always take priority. But when I look at them, I see that time passes in a more human way. They don't care what other people think, and they can say that they like what they like. I think that's what true "normal" is.

Yamashita: They don't dislike or have any weaknesses. They're on equal footing with everyone and give a sense of security. That's why they're such a special pair in Yamanami. It's like "just being there lightens the mood."

Yoshida and Ino: (playing around)

Matsuoka: ...That was the best exchange ever (laughs)

It seems like I'm supporting you, but I am.

Matsuoka : When I went to Atelier Yamanami, I realized that the real heroes are the staff members who support them on site. They and I are on the expressive side, but this world exists because of the gaze of the people who support us. I really wanted to convey that, so I actually included those words in the final draft of my message for the exhibition. In the end, I had to cut them out because it didn't fit with the balance of the exhibition.

Yamashita: Thank you. But we are supported by them. It's always thanks to them that I can think, "Today was fun, too." No matter how tired I am, when I see their smiles, everything else becomes meaningless (laughs).

Boku: Listening to your story, the word "support" seems to be turned upside down. It seems like you are supporting, but you are also being supported. I think that is true symbiosis .

Above are some excerpts from the article. There are many words and thoughts that will soothe your soul. Please read the full article.

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The exhibited works are also available in the online store

"Untitled #2" original artwork
Rikuto Yoshida

"Untitled #4" original artwork
Rikuto Yoshida

"Untitled #36" original artwork
Yuki Ino

"Untitled #29" original artwork
Yuki Ino

>See all works

Art T-shirts featuring the exhibited works

[Ittetsu Matsuoka x Rikuto Yoshida] Printed T-shirt "Untitled #9"
2 other art

Artist Yoshida Rikuto has also created art T-shirts featuring drawings on Matsuoka's photographs. The T-shirts feature large prints of three artworks by these artists, who express themselves in different genres and through different methods, conveying a sense of trust that goes beyond words.

>New T-shirt list