Kyoto Through The Lens Of Will Matsuda
- Name
- Will Matsuda
- Project
- Kyoto
- Location
- Japan · Kyoto
- Words
- Rosie Flanagan
In this series shot in Kyoto, New York-based photographer Will Matsuda explores the city in which his parents met and lived, and by extension — his own diasporic identity. The series is an exploration of Will’s heritage; “I’m interested in the intersection of my western gaze and my inherent Japanese-ness,” he explains. “I have an idea of Japan that is profoundly shaped by my socialization in the West through images and narratives about Japan in pop culture — from katakana text on seemingly every streetwear brand to the whitewashing of Hollywood.” In this series, the photographs seem imbued by Will’s sensitive understanding of the culture that they survey. Thematically the series continues his interest in mixed-racial identity and nature, Will describes his heritage as messy — but the perfect starting point for a practice that explores intersectionality, home, and belonging.
