Kenro Izu: Mono no Aware

27 September - 22 November 2025

Overview

“Art and life are intertwined for me and my thoughts have often turned to the notion of beauty as understood in both Western and Japanese contexts. Encounters with Noh masks sparked a deep curiosity in their human expressions, a fascination that intensified with time. The gaze of the masks seemed to penetrate one’s inner being, reminding me that to observe is also to be observed,” states Izu. “My exploration of Noh extended to its origins, rooted in Shinto traditions and the Jinja shrines of Japan. I was drawn particularly to shrine forests, where sacred trees, rocks, and dense spiritual groves evoke a sense of timelessness. During the COVID-19 lockdown, my focus shifted to nearby subjects—wildflowers and grasses arranged in clay vases made from locally sourced materials. The fleeting beauty of their unnoticed bloom and decay resonated deeply with me. I continue to be reminded of how daily life and environment shape artistic creation.”

Howard Greenberg Gallery will present Kenro Izu: Mono no Aware – The Beauty of Impermanence from September 27 through November 22, 2025. The exhibition features luminous works by master printer Kenro Izu who has spent 50 years photographing sacred spaces worldwide. The exhibition coincides with the publication of a limited edition two-volume slip cased book Mono no Aware (Nazraeli Press, September, 2025). A reception and book signing with the artist will be held on Saturday, September 27, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., along with a live calligraphy demonstration Nishina Keisho whose work is incorporated into some of Izu’s art.

The term mono no aware (the pathos of things) expresses the Japanese concept of appreciating the transient beauty of life and objects. The project focuses on three subjects: 14th-century Japanese Noh masks; the stones and trees that surround the remains of ancient shrines; and the wildflowers and grasses that bloom briefly near Izu’s home. Izu invites viewers to encounter the depth of his subjects through lustrous images that explore impermanence and refined aesthetic through three ideas: yugen (mystical and profound), sabi (beauty with aging), and wabi (austere beauty).

The gelatin silver and platinum palladium prints on view are uniquely matted using antique silverleaf recovered from historic folding screens and trimmed with fabrics taken from vintage kimonos, making every work a one-of-a-kind fusion of photographic artistry and Japanese heritage.