Lugano
Nobuyoshi Araki was born in Tokyo in 1940. His early works focused on natural landscapes and the vibrant urban scenes of the Japanese capital. In 1963, he completed his studies in photography and cinematography at Chiba University, marking the beginning of an artistic journey that would soon attract national attention. Official recognition came in 1964, when he was awarded the prestigious Taiyo Prize, dedicated to emerging talents in photography. The following year, he held his first solo exhibition in the iconic Shinjuku Station building – one of the symbolic hubs of modern Tokyo.
A pivotal turning point in both his personal life and artistic career came in 1971, the year he married Yoko Aoki. From that moment on, the female figure – particularly the nude – became the core of his expressive exploration. His intimate and provocative images established him as a disruptive force in both the Japanese and international art scenes. In 1981, Araki expanded the boundaries of his creativity by directing his first and only film, High School Girl Fake Diary. The film tells the story of a young woman striving to make her way in the soft-porn industry, showcasing Araki’s ability to navigate multiple artistic languages.
From the 1980s onward, his work has been exhibited around the world, capturing the attention of diverse audiences and earning critical acclaim. Araki’s body of work is immense: in just one decade, he produced over 16,000 photographs, took part in around 200 solo exhibitions and 150 group shows, and published nearly 300 books, distributed on a global scale.