Photographer Satsuki Ichikawa responds to Romans 8:24-28 and the events of March 11th, 2011 as the final artist in a three-part series featuring artists from Japan.
Satsuki Ichikawa, Hope
Ms. Ichikawa is the third of the artists in our three-part series who come from Japan, selected by curator Rachel Carvosso.
View the first and second works in this series: [the earth is round no matter what happens] by Ayako Yoshida and Paradise by Shino Yanai.
Curious about Ms. Carvosso's process as a curator? Read some of her shared thoughts here.
Scripture
Romans 8:24–28
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it . 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Satsuki Ichikawa
I chose to make work responding to the theme of hope. As long as we are alive we will experience some suffering and pain, we have been given the written promises of God that the pain and the suffering does not end in despair. In Japan, after the earthquake of March 11th, there are many people who are sad and even now are still suffering in some ways.
The first photo represents the feelings of these people – feelings of sorrow, anger and tension. I think it is important to express such struggle and emotions. In the second image the storm has subsided and hope is beginning to be found. In the third image I wanted to express the promise of God that there is no hope that the ends in disappointment.
The Sky is a canvas – when we view the sky it seems to comfort us, and it can speak into our minds.
People who have lost everything can receive a light of hope.
私は希望をテーマにこの箇所を選びました。私たちは生きている限り時として苦しみや痛みを経験します。けれども聖書はここで、それは失望で終わるのではないという、素晴らしい神の約束が記されています。日本は3.11の地震により、今もなお悲しみ苦しみの中にいる人々が多くいます。
1枚目の写真はそんな苦しみの中にいる人々の心情、悲しみや憤り、葛藤などを表現しています。
2枚目は嵐が静まり、希望を見い出し始めた心。
3枚目はその希望が失望に終わる事がないという神の約束を現しました。
空は私たち人間の心にそっと寄添うように、語りかけます。
希望を失った人々に希望の光が届きますように。
Satsuki Ichikawa is a freelance photographer based in Japan/Korea. She specialises in portraiture and landscapes and has exhibited widely in Japan receiving a Mitsubishi Kodak award in 2004.
FB: satsukiichikawa.photography
Twitter: @ichikawasatsuki
Sparks
Most Sparks for Romans
