Sawada, Tomoko: Kawaii

Tomoko Sawada is active internationally as a photographer working in the genre of the self-portrait. This book contains a pair of contrasting works titled cover and Decoration. Through the unique Japanese street fashion styles of kogal and gothic Lolita, Sawada explores the interrelationship of outer image and inner life, the theme that underlies all of her work.

In cover, Sawada disguises herself as a kogal (teenager) in ganguro makeup* (2002). Decoration is a work that was born from a solo exhibition at the Joan Miro Foundation (Barcelona, 2008).
*The ganguro look is characterized by bleached hair, over-tanned skin, and lavish makeup.

“Tomoko, you just keep getting more beautiful and lovely! Whether you’re a gal or a Lolita, I’ll follow you anywhere.” --Kishin Shinoyama

Title: Kawaii
Publisher, Year: Seigensha Art Publishing, 2015
Photographer: Tomoko Sawada
Format: Hardcover
Size: 21.6 x 15.5 cm, 96 pages
ISBN: 978-4-86152-497-4