History
photographerfumio tanai
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. He lived in London from 2005-06. Currently, he is based in New York City and Tokyo.
Public Collections
- Bibliotheque Nationale de France / PARIS
- Consulate General of Japan / NYC
- ST. RAPHAEL’S PARISH / NYC
- Hungary Japan Museum / BUDAPEST
- Echizen Paper & Culture Museum / Japan
Awards
- 2016International Color Awards / Los Angeles
- 2015Prix de la Photographie Paris / PARIS
- 2013International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
- 2013London international creative competition / LONDON
- 2013Prix de la Photographie Paris / PARIS
- 2012International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
- 2011Prix de la Photographie Paris / PARIS
- 2011International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
- 2010International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
- 2010NY Coo Gallery Open Art Contest / NYC
- 2009International Photography Awards / Los Angeles
Selected
Solo Exhibitions
- 2013Consulate General of Japan Gallery / NYC
- 2013Minami Aoyama 291 / TOKYO
- 2012Udatsu Paper & Craft Museum / FUKUI, Japan
- 2008Sous Les Etoiles Gallery / NYC
- 2002Shuko Gallery / FUKUOKA, Japan
- 2002Gallery 21 / TOKYO
- 2001Le Petit Bedon / TOKYO
- 1999Galerie Point / PARIS
- 1995Egg Gallery / TOKYO
Selected
Group Exhibitions
- 2014Williamsburg Art & Historical Center / NYC
- 2010NY Coo Gallery / NYC
- 2010Gallery 21/ TOKYO
- 2009Sous Les Etoiles Gallery / NYC
- 2008Gallery 21/ TOKYO
- 2004Aster Plaza Civic Gallery / HIROSHIMA, Japan
- 2004Hyogo Civic Art Gallery/ HYOUGO, Japan
- 2003Gallery 21/ TOKYO
- 2003Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography / TOKYO
- 2003Gallery 21/ TOKYO
- 1998Hungary Japan Museum / HUNGARY
- 1997Kobe Hankyu Museum / HYOUGO, Japan
- 1997Art Garden Kawasaki/ KANAGAWA, Japan
- 1997Egg Gallery / TOKYO
- 1996Art Garden Kawasaki / KANAGAWA, Japan
Showcases
- 2012Echizen Washi × Fumio Tanai / Takashimaya / TOKYO
- 2011Plus The Art Fair / TOKYO
- 2008Photo Miami The International Contemporary Art Fair / MIAMI
- 2008AAF Contemporary Art Fair / NYC