Michael Kenna's "Beautiful Fukushima" Exhibition Opens in Vancouver

Internationally renowned photographer Michael Kenna's "Beautiful Fukushima" exhibition opens at Kostuik Gallery in Vancouver, BC, on October 15, marking his 2026 return with a dedicated solo presentation. The exhibition, which debuted in Japan earlier this fall and has since traveled through Europe and the United States, features 50 new images reflecting on the beauty of regeneration in the aftermath of the 2011 events in Japan.

Kenna, known for his enigmatic stillness and long exposures, has captured the essence of Fukushima's recovery.

Jennifer Kostuik, owner and director of Kostuik Gallery, expressed excitement about hosting Kenna's work. Kenna's work first appeared at Kostuik Gallery in a 2019 group exhibition, and Beautiful Fukushima marks his 2026 return with a dedicated solo presentation. The exhibition runs from October 15 through November 1, with an opening reception on Thursday, October 15, from 5 to 7 pm, with the artist in attendance.

Kenna, a prolific photographer, has published 47 books of his photography, with work held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Gallery of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, among others. In 2022, France's Minister of Culture named Kenna an Officier des Arts et des Lettres, an honour that placed his life archive, more than 3,600 original prints and an astounding 175,000 negatives spanning 43 countries, in the permanent collection of the French State.

Kenna's photographs are known for their enigmatic stillness, largely a product of the long exposures he favors, often made at dawn or at night. Since the mid-1980s, Kenna has worked primarily with Hasselblad medium-format and Holga cameras, which account for the square format of most of his images.

A limited-edition mini-collotype portfolio of the Fukushima series, signed by Michael Kenna, will be available for purchase at the opening event. Beautiful Fukushima runs October 15 through November 1 at Kostuik Gallery, 1070 Homer Street, Vancouver. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm. Follow the gallery on Instagram for exhibition updates.

Kostuik Gallery is celebrating 29 years representing mid-career and established visual artists from Vancouver, across Canada, the USA, Europe, Mexico, and Argentina, including internationally recognized photographer Michael Kenna alongside gallery artists David Burdeny and James Lahey. A selection of artists explores minimalist themes and aesthetic approaches typically based on the influence of built environments and the natural world. The gallery features paintings, mixed media, all photography formats, and indoor and outdoor abstract sculpture.

The gallery has participated in international art fairs in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Toronto, and Montreal. Services include special commission-based art, art renderings by scale, framing, local delivery and installation, and shipping worldwide.