A personal account of art in photos

By Wu Ziru

Renowned Japanese photographer Shigeo Anzai is currently hosting his solo exhibition at the Shanghai Art Museum with more than 70 pieces of his best work on display.

Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Shigeo Anzai.

The highly-acclaimed photographer is widely known as the “eyewitness” of the development of international contemporary art over the past 40 years and has devoted himself to documenting world-famous artists and their creations.

Among his achievements are pictures of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joseph Beuys and other greats, all who have made significant contributions to the genre.

 In capturing his subjects at perfect moments, Anzai spent time at the artists' studios, observing them at work and taking pictures when he was deeply moved. Sometimes he also took photos of the artists in their daily lives.

“It is of great significance to document contemporary art through such a special way,” said Liu Li, curator of the exhibition. “Without using so-called photographic skills, the photographer himself simply recorded what he saw and felt.”

Much of Anzai's best work is on show in Shanghai including his series on Joseph Beuys, taken when the artist was creating his famous Action and Coyote. Pictures of Andy Warhol and video artist Nam June Paik are also part of the exhibition.

“These works themselves are important records of contemporary art's development over the past several decades,” Liu explained.

Born in 1939, Shigeo Anzai was once an abstract painter who turned to photography in his 30s when by accident he became an assistant to world-famous artist Richard Serra.

Moments of Artists will run until September 5.
 

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