“In Japan, I learned about the saying Kachō Fūgetsu… experience the beauties of nature, and in doing so, learn about yourself."
Paul Cupido’s second solo exhibition in the Print Sales Gallery at The Photographers’ Gallery takes its title from the Japanese idiom Kachō Fūgetsu, literally meaning “flower, bird, wind, moon.” More than a poetic description of the natural world, it reflects a centuries-old philosophy rooted in Japanese aesthetics: by observing nature’s fleeting beauty, we come to a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Influenced by his travels in Japan and the visual language of Japanese photography, Cupido’s work embraces transience and emotional resonance. These ideas echo his upbringing on the remote Dutch island of Terschelling. Surrounded by tidal flats, wide skies, and sea, he developed a profound awareness of impermanence and natural cycles. The constant ebb and flow of tides, and the waxing and waning of the moon, are reflected in his photography.
Cupido’s time in Japan later reawakened this affinity with the natural world, as he encountered philosophies that mirrored his own. Drawn to compositions reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints, Cupido transforms photographs into poetic abstractions. Working with archival pigment (carbon) printing and photographic etching, he uses delicate handmade paper for tactility and soft, natural toning. The resulting prints appear to float weightlessly, suspended between reality and dream. From the fleeting cherry blossoms of the Kiso Valley to the subtropical landscapes of Okinawa, Cupido’s ethereal photographs invite us to slow down and reflect on nature’s balance of resilience and fragility.
Limited edition prints are available to purchase from £1,450 + VAT. All proceeds from print sales support The Photographers' Gallery's public programme. Use the Own Art scheme to pay for an artwork in instalments.
