Takaaki Sano: Japanese Photographer and Former Educator
Takaaki Sano (born in 1982, Adachi-ku, Tokyo) is a Japanese photographer and former educator. His work as a photographer is deeply influenced by his personal experiences, including his years as a shut-in during his teenage years and his hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. These life events have profoundly shaped his artistic vision, particularly his focus on capturing surreal and introspective landscapes that reflect mental and emotional states.
Early Life and Background
At the age of 13, Sano stopped attending school and spent about seven years living as a shut-in (hikikomori). During this period, he developed the habit of taking photographs, particularly of sunsets, which became a significant element in his work. At the age of 16, Sano was hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward, where the side effects of medication caused him to experience lapses in consciousness. These experiences, particularly the visions he saw in his altered state, left a lasting impact on his photography, inspiring him to capture fragmented memories through his images.
Career as a Photographer
Sano's photography career began in 2014 when he uploaded sunset photos taken during his hikikomori period to Tumblr. One of these images caught the attention of London-based singer-songwriter Grimm Grimm, who used it for the album cover of "Hazy Eyes Maybe." This breakthrough led to further opportunities in the art world. In 2015, while working as a science teacher at the Shanghai Japanese School, he held his first solo exhibition, "Light," at the gallery DA ATTIC in Shanghai. His work attracted attention from young people in the city, and his self-published photobook Hikari sold out.
Since then, Sano has held annual exhibitions in Japan and internationally. In 2021, he won the "Amana IMA Next 'MEMORIES'" award, selected by renowned photographer Tim Barber.
Style and Themes
Sano's photography is characterized by a lyrical and introspective quality, focusing on themes of consciousness, memory, and the hidden beauty in everyday life. His work often explores the connection between mental landscapes and the physical world, reflecting his personal struggles and his desire to express the fleeting moments of life.
Educational Career and Transition to Professional Photography
Alongside his career as a photographer, Sano worked as an educator until 2024. He began his teaching career as a science instructor at the Shanghai Japanese School in 2015, followed by a position as an English teacher at a special needs school in 2016. From 2017 to 2022, he taught English at Soka High School, and from 2022 until March 2024, he worked at Hiroo Gakuen Koishikawa Junior and Senior High School. As of 2024, Sano has transitioned to working full-time as a professional photographer.
Major Exhibitions
2015: "Takaaki Sano Photography Exhibition: Light" at DA ATTIC, Shanghai, China
2019: "TAKAAKI SANO Photography" at Senju Mural Path Gallery, Tokyo
2023: Two-person exhibition "Imozuru-shiki" at JOINT Harajuku, Tokyo (with guest artist Grimm Grimm)
2024: "Hidden" at Liike, Daikanyama, Tokyo
Photobooks
2015: Hikari (Self-published)
2018: Consciousness (Self-published)
2024: Hidden Place (Self-published)
Awards
2021: "Amana IMA Next 'MEMORIES'" Shortlist (Selected by Tim Barber)
Media Appearances
2015: NHK's Hirumae Hotto
2019: J:COM's Daily News Adachi/Katsushika
2021: J:COM's Tsunagaru News
Artwork Collaborations
2015: Grimm Grimm's Hazy Eyes Maybe
2018: Grimm Grimm's Cliffhanger
Photography Exhibition Information:
Dates: Sep. 26, 2024 – Oct. 29, 2024
Venue: Liike
(1-35-5-2F, Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Artist in Gallery: October 1, 14, 15, 22, 29