Q&A: Ayako Tsuda
Q&A: Ayako Tsuda
July 16th, 2008The half Norwegian, half Japanese artist takes us through a collection of black and white portraits of her encounters with people from Europe and Asia in Crossing Borders. See +art page 28.
What made you choose people as your subjects?
I started at a very young age, to explore the world outside of Japan when it was still a rare thing to do. And the world for me has been, first and foremost, the people who reside in it. I have also studied Sociology and worked as teacher and social worker; my interest is in people.
Why black and white?
I think that black and white, and the grays in between, are the most fascinating “colors.” Having said that, I see that colors do contribute power to the picture in some situations.
Did you have to get to know your subjects before taking their pictures?
I personally know some people portrayed here, others are strangers. Some of the latter I tried to reach out and establish contacts. A few others, I photographed them without their knowing being photographed. It is very seldom that I instruct or “choreograph” my subjects to have them pose in certain ways while I take pictures.
What are your future projects?
I would like to photograph katoeys. I would also like to continue a self-portrait project,
which I began some time ago.
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