Fully Booked – Registration Closed
We are pleased to host a special seminar with Michael Hoppen, founder of the renowned Michael Hoppen Gallery in London.
Since establishing his gallery in 1992, Hoppen has introduced photography from the 19th century to the present day, bringing international attention to Japanese photographers such as Daido Moriyama, Miyako Ishiuchi, and Masahisa Fukase.
Collaborating with major institutions such as Tate Modern, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the V&A, he continues to play a vital role in shaping the global photography market.
In conversation with Miho Odaka, a curator who has worked closely with Hoppen for over two decades and represents Sohei Nishino, the discussion will explore behind-the-scenes stories of Japanese photographers’ international recognition and the evolving perception of Japanese photography overseas.
Main Themes
This seminar will offer practical insights valuable to photographers, gallerists, curators, and anyone interested in the international photography scene.
・Practical advice for photographers seeking to expand their practice abroad
・Career paths for gallerists and curators
・Cultural and aesthetic differences between Japan and the international photography world, and their possibilities
After the talk, we invite participants to join a casual reception with drinks and light refreshments – a chance to connect directly with the speakers and fellow attendees.
Speakers
Michael Hoppen
Gallerist. Born in London in the 1950s. Studied photography, film, and television at the London College of Communication (First Class Honours) and continued at the Royal College of Art. After working in commercial and fine art photography, he founded the Michael Hoppen Gallery in 1992.
His gallery represents works spanning from the 19th century to today, introducing major Japanese photographers such as Daido Moriyama, Miyako Ishiuchi, Masahisa Fukase, and Sohei Nishino to an international audience.
Hoppen has collaborated with leading institutions including Tate Modern, the V&A, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and actively participates in art fairs worldwide, from Paris and Basel to New York and Tokyo. Since 2006, he has focused on postwar Japanese photography while continuing to discover new talents.
Miho Odaka
Curator and photography researcher. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1980. Graduated from Sophia University (BA in English Literature) and earned her MA in Photography from Falmouth University (UK).
After working as a photo editor and gallery staff member, she became independent, curating exhibitions and coordinating photography-related projects.
Her curatorial work includes Tokyo International Photography Festival 2015, T3 Photo Festival Tokyo (2017), and Tokyo Dialogue (2022–2024). She has coordinated and curated the Prix Pictet Tokyo exhibition since 2015.
Part-time lecturer at Nihon University College of Art and Tokyo Polytechnic University.
Event Details
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 18:30–20:30 (followed by a reception)
Venue: POETIC SCAPE | 1F, 4-4-10 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: ¥3,500 (includes reception, to be paid on site)
Language: English with Japanese interpretation