The Photo History Museum in FUJIFILM SQUARE is pleased to announce the photo exhibition "A Lifelong Pursuit of Modernism ― the Photographic World of Shoji Ueda" which runs from June 1 - August 31, 2012.

Next year marks the centenary of the birth of Shoji Ueda (1913-2000), a photographer who was born in Tottori Prefecture of the Sanin region of Japan and is known for his combination of surrealist compositional elements with realistic photographich depiction. Ueda is particularly well-known in Japan for his photographic works of major landmarks of his beloved Sanin region incuding the sand dunes of Tottori and the ancient cultural center of Izumo.

A key theme of Ueda's works is the use of human subjects set against the vast backdrop of sand dunes, and Ueda utilized this theme to inject a modicum of humor into his photographs. His works sought to transcend time and incorporate younger generation subjects. After exhibitions in Spain, Switzerland and France, his works began to receive worldwide recognition.

This exhibition features approx. 25 prints including Ueda's depictions of Tottori's sand dunes, works featured in Japan's most prestigious prewar photographic magazines, and objet d'art that reveal the humor he sought to inject into his works. The exhibition also strives to portray the beauty and originality of his works and the amateur spirit Ueda constantly sought to convey in his works. We look forward to welcoming all visitors to the Photo History Museum for a fascinating glimpse into the photographic world of Shoji Ueda.

Born in Tottori Prefecture in Japan's Sanin region in 1913, and became obsessed with cameras while still a schoolboy. In 1932, he traveled to Tokyo to study at the Oriental School of Photography, and upon graduation returned to his native area to open a photographic studio while still only 19 years old. Ueda soon gained a growing reputation; his works began to be published in popular photographic magazines and regular exhibitions were held. In 1937, he founded the photographic group Chugoku Shashinka Dankai, which was invited to hold several exhibitions in prestigious salons in Tokyo. In 1949, he published the collection Tsuzurikata - watashi no kazoku (My family: a literary composition), which heralded the beginning of his long involvement with the sand dunes of his native Tottori. In 1978 he received a commendation from the Cultural Affairs Agency of Japan for his distinguished contribution to photography. In 1996, he was awarded the French Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, while in 1998 he received the first Tottori Prefectural Citizen Achievement Award. The Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography was established in the town of Hoki in Tottori Prefecture in 1995. Ueda died on July 4, 2000.