KENTA NAKAMURA
Real people, real life
16 May 2017
Japanese photographer Kenta Nakamura’s work is full of normal folk we might encounter on a daily basis: they could be our neighbours, family members, or the local community – you name it. Based in Tokyo and Fukuoka, Nakamura’s carefully probing lens urges us to stop and consider these familiar characters just that little bit longer – and not feel shy about it. With a perfect measure of discretion, wit and artistic skill, Nakamura’s gentle yet striking portraits are aesthetically beautiful, as well as important and affectionate documents of ordinary lives in Japan.
Private is public, intimacy is shamelessly celebrated and personal moments are willingly exposed. The simple addition of a humorous prop or two successfully removes any discomfort or feeling of voyeurism on the viewer’s part. This is a joyful and clear-minded look in on the lives of people-like-us, the global community, their desires, their memories, their everyday habits and environments.