Japan House London is set to host its inaugural photography exhibition, 'Invisible', showcasing the works of acclaimed Japanese photographers Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai. Opening on 3 June 2026, the exhibition presents a curated selection of Kawada's work from the 1950s to the present, including his iconic series "Chizu The Map" (1965), and Iwane's "A New River" (2020), which captures the Tōhoku region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exhibition, directed by the team behind KYOTOGRAPHIE, one of Asia's largest photography festivals, marks their first UK showcase. Kawada, known for his exploration of Japan's identity post-World War II, gained prominence in the 1960s and was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Photographic Society of Japan in 2011. His work, curated by Sayaka Takahashi from PGI gallery in Tokyo, includes "Los Caprichos" (1968–1981), which abstractly captures postwar Hiroshima.

Iwane, whose work often explores transnational themes, presents "Kipuka" (2018), depicting Japanese immigrant communities in Hawaii. Her series "A New River" features cherry blossoms at night and folkloric figures, exploring themes of isolation and transience.

Simon Wright, Director of Programming at Japan House, expressed the significance of the exhibition: "It is a great privilege to present these two artists who are concerned with phenomena that resonate with us all."

Supported by Epson UK Ltd, the exhibition will be accompanied by events inspired by the photographers' works, aiming to deepen appreciation of photography as an art form

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