Hibi, who began acting while still in his teens, moved to New York at the age of 22. His acting work lead him to discover photography, and Hibi would walk the streets of New York, snapping photos as the mood took him. Returning to Japan in 1992 for the purpose of obtaining his US permanent residence, Hibi travelled throughout the country with his camera. After living with Ainu in Hokkaido, Hibi heard about an “island of longevity” in the South Seas, and travelled there too. He ended up travelling for a whole year. After returning to New York Hibi developed the large stock of film he had taken. Hibi says that seeing the developed photos was the most exciting thing he had ever experienced.

Hibi went on to work as both a photographer and a film director. To date, Nazreli Press, a well-known US-based publisher, has published three collections of his photos. Hibi’s works are included in esteemed collections in galleries around the world, including the collection of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in California.

The Salt of the Earth series included in this exhibition is made up of photos taken in Amami. While Hibi originally took these photos as mementos of his trip, as his career as a photographer progressed the photos came to have a hold a new significance to him. Hibi subsequently met Roland Angst of German publisher Only Photography, and Angst’s favourite photos of Hibi’s were later compiled under the title Salt of the Earth.

The title of this exhibition, Salt of the Earth, is taken from a passage in the Bible attributed to Christ. Salt purifies and prevents decay, and this biblical analogy is telling the faithful to be model citizens – like salt. After travelling in Amami, Hibi said that he saw the islanders as the “salt of the earth” in the way that they never forgot to smile, valued relationships and conversations with others, worked hard for their families, and followed traditional teachings, to make a better future.