Okashi: an exhibition at the Michael Hoppen Gallery at Holland Park, West London; showcases remarkable Japanese masters of photography. Attendees can enjoy viewing prints that were mostly black and white, as would have been the norm and standard discipline of the art from back in the early to mid-20th Century. There were also colour prints, wonderfully graphic original Ukiyo-e wood block prints on display, and more.
When one mentions the word graphic, we’re usually addressing the fascinating topic or subject of many of the ukiyo-e artworks on display. However, during this exhibition it is always good to have a raised eyebrow ready, as viewers are bound to experience work beyond what one may expect at times.
The concept of 'okashi' is meant to refer to the delight such strange or powerfully intriguing work can offer the viewer, the exhibition certainly delivers in providing such delight to those who visit.
Curator, collector, photographer himself Michael Hopper gave attendees the most informative and passionate talk in person, about every single item to be experienced, chronicling each and every photographer’s work, their life story, and his interactions with them, with many an anecdotal insight. He was fascinating and most engaging, and it is indicative of the passion of those behind the exhibition.
Attendees may know some of these works well beforehand, others unfamiliar, and some will surely be familiar to viewers in passing without the full knowledge of from whom these iconic images hailed from. Never fear: thanks to Michales encyclopaedic mind taking us on a whirlwind journey through his relationships and experiences with these legends of Japanese photography, such provenances were cleared up swiftly and viewers can enjoy seeing such details on display.
The gallery space was perfect for such an exhibition. Not a vast space to get lost in, not to small to be swallowed up in. To use Michael's own words, “I wanted to find a new smaller space for the gallery scale up to, not scale down to".
It works perfectly: it has a great energy to it from the use of the natural wood floors, and even a small garden space to take respite and collect ones thoughts and organise those inevitable opinions. Staff were friendly and attentive happy to answer questions with their informative knowledge. It is an exhibition well recommended.
You can find Okashi: An exhibition of the masters of Japanese photography, at the Michael Hoppen Gallery, 10 Portland Road, Holland Park, London W11 4LA. It runs from 13 April - 30 June 2024.
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