About

Born in Tokyo in 1973, Shinichiro Matsukawa embarked on his photographic journey in 2011, documenting the landscapes and cultures he encountered during his travels. While his work captures elements of documentary photography, his primary focus lies in exploring the intersection of humanity and nature, particularly in the world's most extreme environments. He is especially drawn to cold regions, capturing the resilience of life in the face of harsh conditions.

Matsukawa gained rare access to Norilsk, a closed city within the Arctic Circle. Known as one of the coldest, windiest, and most polluted cities on Earth, Norilsk offered a unique glimpse into a world rarely seen by outsiders. Surrounded by tundra and effectively isolated, the city retains much of its pre-Perestroika architecture, evoking the Soviet era. His photographs capture the stark beauty of this unique urban landscape, juxtaposed with the untouched wilderness of the nearby Putorana Plateau. This remote region, with its pristine taiga forests, lakes, and canyons, provided a stark contrast to the industrial city, showcasing the powerful duality of the Arctic landscape.

Highlight: Documented a city rarely accessible to foreigners, capturing its unique architecture and the contrast with the pristine Putorana Plateau.

Matsukawa immersed himself in the world of Mongolian nomads, living with a family in their ger (traditional dwelling) throughout the winter. He documented their challenging yet beautiful way of life, capturing their ancient traditions and the difficulties they face in a rapidly changing world. Through images of everyday life—from traditional bone games to horseback and motorcycle riding—he portrays the resilience of the nomads and their livestock amidst the harsh Mongolian winter. He also captured the challenges facing modern nomads, including winter weather disasters and the migration of young people away from nomadic life, while emphasizing the importance of preserving Mongolia's rich cultural heritage.

Highlight: Lived with nomadic families during winter, capturing their daily life and the challenges they face while highlighting their rich cultural heritage.

Matsukawa ventured to Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities on Earth, where temperatures plummeted to -55°C. He captured the resilience of its inhabitants, documenting their daily lives, market scenes, and the surrounding frozen landscapes. His photographs depict a world where everything is frozen, yet life continues as people adapt to these extreme conditions. His work captures the indomitable spirit of the Yakutsk people, who have learned to thrive in a world where winter's grip is absolute.

Highlight: Documented life in one of the world's coldest cities, highlighting the resilience of its inhabitants in the face of extreme conditions.

More recently, Matsukawa has been using large format cameras to capture evocative landscapes that explore the interwoven relationship between humanity and nature, often focusing on introspective and emotionally resonant scenes. His work combines elements of landscape, cultural documentation, and fine art photography, offering a unique perspective on the human experience in diverse and often extreme environments.

Member of The Photographic Society of Japan
2018: Photographed the closed city of Norilsk, Russia.
2019: Photographed nomadic life in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
2019: Photographed the harsh winter in Yakutsk, Russia.
2021: Featured in the group exhibition "Go To The Russia," showcasing contemporary Russian photography.