The past few months since Michael Kenna published his exhibition dates, which featured a photo called ‘Percy’s Perspective’, I’ve been receiving many emails a day about it asking if the name of the image had any relation to myself.
Then yesterday, a piece appeared in the Guardian newspaper (Uk major tabloid), and Michael name checked me towards the end of the article. Again, I received a load of emails from folks telling me that Michael had name checked me.
I think it would be nice to give some context to this, and how it all came about.
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I have been a fan of Michael Kenna’s work since the late 80’s. He is one of my influences for sure. You just need to look at my work to see it. I have no problem citing my influences and I owe Michael Kenna a terrific debt to showing me the way forward. I know my style of photography wouldn’t be what it is without him.
So consider that back in 2009, when I was just starting out as a photographer, I emailed him to ask for some advice regarding gallery representation, and I got a reply. I specifically remember Michael saying “your work is very beautiful, congratulations” (I should perhaps point out that from my dealings with Michael, he is extremely polite and above all else, highly encouraging).
Since that email in 2009, I’ve met him around three times, and on all occasions it was a lot of fun. The last time being in 2020 when he invited me to a Karaoke party he was having in Tokyo (he knew I was in town - and knew I had never done Karaoke before). I must admit that I was apprehensive about doing karaoke, but also knew I would regret not going.
The Karaoke was an excellent night. Despite my terrible singing, and not practicing as I had been instructed to do by Michael (he is a well practiced Karaoke singer and had prepared a Bruce Springsteen number which he did very well). His agent also did an amazing version of Bowie’s ‘China Girl’.
This brings me to the fact that I was in Japan because I run a yearly winter Hokkaido tour. This is where the connection to the photograph above comes in. I only went to Hokkaido because I was drawn there by Michael’s beautiful work. I share his guide. The tree above is one such location that Tsuyoshi found while I was with him back in December 2015.
I can’t really say it’s my find. Tsuyoshi found it for me. But I do love the location. It is one of my most favourite places to visit in Hokkaido.
Had someone told me back in the late 80’s, that one day I would not only spend some time with Michael, but that I would also have an image named after me, I would not have believed it possible. But it did happen, and photography seems to surprise me every now and then with where it takes me.
I’d like to finish by also saying that Michael’s gesture of naming the image after me is quite playful, but I think he also likes to acknowledge any connections that he makes along his photographic journey. He’s a nice fellow. The world is an exciting place for him, and you sense it when you’re around him.
Perhaps the biggest give away from this is to practice your Karaoke. As you never really know when you’ll need it.
Michaels new retrospective book is available this November and from what I can see of it so far, there are written descriptions of the making of each image within the book.