Ryo Ohwada (born in 1978) energetically represents photographic works that make the most of digital techniques. He was selected for the "ReGeneration 50 photographers of tomorrow" organized by Musee de l'Elysee in Switzerland, and also awarded Newcomer's Award in Photographic Society of Japan Awards in 2011. Ohwada is expected as an up and coming photographer.

“Value” is a very fluid word. There are various values by such as locations, times, and people. Some things that one find valuable can be of no value to others. Moreover things regarded as “virtue” in society could be "vice" in another society. After meeting with foreign old banknotes, Ohwada started creating the series work "Banknotes". old notes all over the world taken by high resolution and transmission. Banknotes have recorded information and interests of the graphics. In addition, Ohwada says that they are a suitable subject for expressing "documentary character that photographs have", that he has been seeking for. Not only notes as an objects and documentary aspect of photography, "almost absolute value"- a characteristic of notes that the subjects, is a significant part of this series work.

Question is what value is. Money is defined as almost unconditional value today. What is value for one that cannot exchange for money? Considering value by real meaning may bring new "value" and perhaps that in the future.

*image (left)
© Ryo Ohwada
courtesy of the artist and hpgrp Gallery