Ontoshiki Vun

the power of the mind

mom and I

dear imagination; 2

frozen raindrops

summertime reprise

a symbol of sin

“Sensualism in photography is tantamount to having an intimate dance with a woman; timing, technique, intricate body movements and forming a connection between you and your partner. ” – Ontoshiki

hot spring hotel IV

idea incubation

“If only every fleeting moment in our inimitable lives can be captured on film, re-wound and re-collected. ” – Ontoshiki

society’s child; 1

“The mysterious allure of a person in urban architecture and landscape is a metaphor for social environment and sense of community. It may conjure thoughts and feelings of relationships manifesting in the form of intimacy, alienation, decay, deterioration or rejection” – Ontoshiki

Artist Bio

Ontoshiki is a literal translation of the artist’s Chinese name into Japanese. He is of Chinese descent, raised in Australia but is currently based in Tokyo, Japan where he spends much of his time focusing on photography.

He is fascinated by. the cinematic, nostalgic, poetic, enigmatic, unknown, unpredictable, dark and sinister. Drawn to dreams, symbolism, the cryptic nature of photography i.e. the way it conveys moods and feelings beyond the need for lexicon and how colors affect mood and feelings.

Ontoshiki’s main themes include: life, death, angst, alienation, lust and love and the exploration of urban elements,environment and life and the human psyche and body.

He admires the Japanese aesthetics of Yūgen (a profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe… and the sad beauty of human suffering) and Wabi-sabi (transcience i.e. imperfect, incomplete, impermanent) such as fading autumn leaves, falling sakura petals and flawed beauty.

To watch the sun sink behind a flower clad hill. To wander on in a huge forest without thought of return. To stand upon the shore and gaze after a boat that disappears behind distant islands. To contemplate the flight of wild geese seen and lost among the clouds. And, subtle shadows of bamboo on bamboo. – Zeami Motokiyo

Ontoshiki Vun’s Website

Ontoshiki Vun’s Flickr