Rinko Kawauchi, Outstanding Contribution to Photography 2023

Whatever her mood, Rinko Kawauchi says that taking pictures is as natural to her as drinking tea. A statement inferring her photography gives her comfort and sustenance and is, in some sense, ritualistic, the Japanese photographer’s choice of metaphor cleverly echoes key themes permeating her life’s work. Commenting on her acceptance of the award, Kawauchi says: ‘This award is recognition of my work, and will encourage me in my future activities. The exhibition brings a body of work that not only characterises my practice, but also presents an ambitious series created with a different method and approach. Through my photography, I seek to create works of art that act as a signpost for me to examine more closely the experiences I am living and what I am looking at.’ Kawauchi is the 16th Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient, an award that’s given to a person or group of people that have made a significant impact on the photographic medium. Previous awardees include Eve Arnold, Edward Burtynsky and Gerhard Steidl.