Fumio Tanai was born in Tokyo and received a degree in Photography from Tokyo Polytechnic University, studied under the photographer Eikoh Hosoe. Encounter with photographer the Daido Moriyama was also decisive. Through them, he was enlightened as to how artistic expression is created.  Working as an assistant photographer after graduation on projects involving some of Japan’s leading Kabuki and movie actors and novelists provided an opportunity to expand his knowledge of the Japanese people and culture. His subsequent work as a freelance photographer has earned him worldwide recognition, resulting in numerous exhibitions at galleries in Paris, New York and Tokyo, including joint exhibitions with photographers such as Robert Frank and Daido Moriyama. He has traveled extensively, conducting international projects in countries such as China, England, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan for exhibitions in France and Japan. He has received an Art Fellowship from the Japanese Government, lived in China in 1996-97 and in London in 2005-06. He has made New York the center of his activities since 2007.

Bibliotheque Nationale de France
Hungary Japan Museum

2011        International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
2011        Prix de la Photographie Paris / PARIS
2010        International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
2010        NY Coo Gallery Open Art Contest   / N.Y.
2009        International Photography Awards / Los Angeles

2008        Sous Les Etoiles Galley / N.Y.
2002        Shuko Gallery / FUKUOKA
2002        Gallery 21 / TOKYO
2001        Le Petit Bedon / TOKYO
1999        Galerie Point / PARIS
1998        Egg Gallery / TOKYO

2010        NY Coo Gallery / N.Y.
2010        Gallery 21 / TOKYO
2009        Sous Les Etoiles Gallery / N.Y.
2008        Gallery 21 / TOKYO
                     with ROBERT FRANK, DAIDO MORIYAMA
2004        Aster Plaza Civic Gallery / HIROSHIMA
2004        Hyogo Civic Art Gallery / HYOUGO
2003        Gallery 21 / TOKYO
                     with ROBERT FRANK, MARC RIBOUD, DAIDO MORIYAMA
2003        Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography / TOKYO
2003        Gallery 21 / TOKYO
1998        Hungary Japan Museum / HUNGARY

2011        Plus The Art Fair / TOKYO
2008        Photo Miami The International Contemporary Art Fair / MIAMI
2008        AAF Contemporary Art Fair / N.Y.