Nobuyoshi Araki

Araki Nobuyoshi is a Japanese photographer born in 1940 in Tokyo, famous for his provocative and controversial images that explore themes such as sex, death, and human relationships. After studying photography at university, he began his career in the 1960s as a commercial photographer before gaining recognition in the 1970s with his personal series. His photography is known for its raw and intimate approach, often filled with sensuality and transgression.

Araki is particularly known for his portraits of women, including erotic photographs that question the boundaries between beauty and objectification. He is also famous for his photos of Tokyo, capturing the city in all its diversity and energy. One of his most famous series is Sentimental Journey, where he documents his marriage and the early moments of his life with his wife, Yoko, whose premature death deeply affected him.

Over the decades, Araki has published numerous books and exhibited his work internationally. His distinctive style blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern, often disturbing elements. Despite facing criticism, his work has influenced contemporary photography, and he remains an iconic figure in Japanese visual art.