The Photo History Museum in FUJIFILM SQUARE is pleased to announce the photo exhibition "A Lifelong Pursuit of Modernism ― the Photographic World of Shoji Ueda" which runs from June 1 - August 31, 2012.

Next year marks the centenary of the birth of Shoji Ueda (1913-2000), a photographer who was born in Tottori Prefecture of the Sanin region of Japan and is known for his combination of surrealist compositional elements with realistic photographich depiction. Ueda is particularly well-known in Japan for his photographic works of major landmarks of his beloved Sanin region incuding the sand dunes of Tottori and the ancient cultural center of Izumo.

A key theme of Ueda's works is the use of human subjects set against the vast backdrop of sand dunes, and Ueda utilized this theme to inject a modicum of humor into his photographs. His works sought to transcend time and incorporate younger generation subjects. After exhibitions in Spain, Switzerland and France, his works began to receive worldwide recognition.

This exhibition features approx. 25 prints including Ueda's depictions of Tottori's sand dunes, works featured in Japan's most prestigious prewar photographic magazines, and objet d'art that reveal the humor he sought to inject into his works. The exhibition also strives to portray the beauty and originality of his works and the amateur spirit Ueda constantly sought to convey in his works. We look forward to welcoming all visitors to the Photo History Museum for a fascinating glimpse into the photographic world of Shoji Ueda.