Thoughts on Wabi-Sabi

My vision and thought processes are greatly influenced by Wabi-Sabi, the quintessential Japanese aesthetic. Unlike the Western ideal of beauty, Wabi-Sabi most often is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. It is a beauty of things simple, modest, humble and unconventional. In Wabi-Sabi nothing is ever complete or finished but in a constant state of change from either becoming or dissolving. Many believe that a state of Wabi-Sabi can only be experienced in the moment that it is appreciated as such. As an artist I work to capture the essence of these small yet emotionally charged moments in time. This approach to my images is combined most often with a distinct, directional light source. The light can be either hard or soft, subtle or intense. Each quality has a special way it defines and impacts a subject. Working in the right combination they make possible dramatic contrasts and interesting shadows which impart the depth that I find so vital to my imagery.

→ What is Wabi Sabi - by Tadao Ando