Michael Kenna

With more than twenty books published on his work, Michael Kenna shows no signs of slowing down in his endless pursuit of nature's haunting beauty. Whether working in his native England, Easter Island, the coastal towns of France or the islands in Japan, Kenna seeks places of solitude which speak volumes about humanity.

Barren seascapes, abandoned fishing nets, fragmented piers, mysterious horizons, trees emerging from under snow drifts – these are just some of the images which dominate Michael Kenna's work from Japan. The result of his efforts can be seen in two books, Hokkaido (2006) and Japan (2002), both published by Nazraeli Press.

His newest book, Mont St Michel, continues his passion for solace. Originally built as a community for Benedictine monks, Mont St Michel became a place of prayer, meditation and silence. Kenna made many journeys to Mont St Michel, staying for days at a time, living among the residents, following their codes of silence and prayer. Armed with a camera, Kenna walked the halls, crypts and towers, watching shadows sneak their way around columns and spires, recording the passing of time.

Mont St Michel is dedicated to Michael's father who recently passed away. As Kenna states in his introduction: "My dad was a quiet man, he didn't seem to have a need to talk very much...We walked pretty much everywhere, and I liked to walk with my Dad...I think the time in-between destinations was most special for me. We didn't need to say very much to each other. Walking, observing, listening, waiting. Somehow I associate those walks with my time at Mont St Michel...He taught me that it's alright to walk alone sometimes."

Whether photographing in Mont St Michel, Japan, China, or the United States, Michael Kenna invites the viewer to walk along with him as he captures moments between events, when human presence seems right around the corner and silence is always present..

Swirling Clouds, Mont St. Michel, France (1994)	Invitation To Prayer, Mont St. Michel, France (1994)	Eglise Abbatiale, Mont St. Michel, France (1998)
Early Cloud Cover, Mont St. Michel, France (1994)	Abbey Reflection, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Dawn Mist, Mont St Michel, France (1994)
Low Tide, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Receding Tide, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	November Clouds, Mont St. Michel, France (2000)
Night Steps, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Midday Prayer, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Chapel and Rocks, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)
Floating Abbey, Mont St. Michel, France (2000)	Winding Wall, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Gabriel's Tower, Study 2, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)
Monastery Walls, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Parapet Lookout, Mont St. Michel, France (1998)	Gargoyle, Mont St. Michel, France (1998)
Outer Staircase, Mont St. Michel, France (2004)	Three A.M., Mont St. Michel, France (1998)	Light Line, Mont St. Michel, France (1994)
Rampart Path, Mont St. Michel, France (2000)	Open Door, Mont St. Michel, France (1994)	Manhattan Skyline, Study 1, New York, USA (2006)
Chrysler Building, Study 2, New York, New York, USA (2006)	Mary Poppins Over Midtown, New York, USA (2006)	Brooklyn Bridge, Study 2, New York, USA (2006)
Brooklyn Bridge, Study 1, New York, USA (2006)	Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, USA (2006)	Skyline, Study 2, Hong Kong, (Night) (2006)
Skyline, Study 1, Shanghai, China (2006)	Full Moon Rise, Chausey Islands (2007)	Fishing Boats, Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong (2007)
Last Light, Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong (2007)	Five Canopies, Granville, France (2007)	Pine Trees, Wolcheon, Gangwando, South Korea (2007)
Rising Sun, Wakasa, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Futatsui Rocks, Study 2, Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Kurosawa's Trees, Memambetsu, Hokkaido, Japan (2004)
Asparagus Sticks, Study 1, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Asparagus Sticks, Study 2, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Copse and Tree, Mita, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)
Tree Line, Hamakoshimizu, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Kussharo Lake Tree, Study 3, Kotan, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Kussharo Lake Tree, Study 5, Kotan, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)
Kussharo Lake Tree, Study 7, Kotan, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)	Kussharo Lake Tree, Study 6, Kotan, Hokkaido, Japan (2007)

With more than twenty books published on his work, Michael Kenna shows no signs of slowing down in his endless pursuit of nature's haunting beauty. Whether working in his native England, Easter Island, the coastal towns of France or the islands in Japan, Kenna seeks places of solitude which speak volumes about humanity. Barren seascapes, abandoned fishing nets, fragmented piers, mysterious horizons, trees emerging from under snow drifts – these are just some of the images which dominate Michael Kenna's work from Japan. The result of his efforts can be seen in two books, Hokkaido (2006) and Japan (2002), both published by Nazraeli Press. His newest book, Mont St Michel, continues his passion for solace. Originally built as a community for Benedictine monks, Mont St Michel became a place of prayer, meditation and silence. Kenna made many journeys to Mont St Michel, staying for days at a time, living among the residents, following their codes of silence and prayer. Armed with a camera, Kenna walked the halls, crypts and towers, watching shadows sneak their way around columns and spires, recording the passing of time. Mont St Michel is dedicated to Michael's father who recently passed away. As Kenna states in his introduction: "My dad was a quiet man, he didn't seem to have a need to talk very much...We walked pretty much everywhere, and I liked to walk with my Dad...I think the time in-between destinations was most special for me. We didn't need to say very much to each other. Walking, observing, listening, waiting. Somehow I associate those walks with my time at Mont St Michel...He taught me that it's alright to walk alone sometimes." Whether photographing in Mont St Michel, Japan, China, or the United States, Michael Kenna invites the viewer to walk along with him as he captures moments between events, when human presence seems right around the corner and silence is always present..