四国の静寂 Shikoku Silence

This photographic series invites viewers on a visual journey through the serene yet haunting landscapes of Shikoku Island, Japan. Through the lens of Damien Drew, the series captures the profound impact of Japan’s demographic shifts on its rural communities. The architectural landscapes depict the remnants of once-vibrant townships, each photograph encapsulating the silent narrative of societal change as Japan’s population declines and young people migrate to cities for work and study.

Drew’s evocative imagery not only captures the physical decline of these built environments but also celebrates the beauty of impermanence and imperfection, echoing the philosophy of ‘wabi-sabi.’ Viewers are invited to reflect on the delicate interplay between renewal and decline and to appreciate the quietude and beauty of these vanishing landscapes.

Drawing on his architectural training and extensive experience as an art director for feature films, Drew’s photographic practice bridges his dual interests in the built environment and visual storytelling. He is fascinated by the erasure of unique communities, the rise of the franchised landscape, and the beauty to be found within unlikely locations.

Drew’s photography has been published and exhibited globally. He was a finalist in Photolucida’s ‘Critical Mass’ 2020 and LensCulture’s Black and White Awards 2022; and the Shikoku no Seijaku series saw him ranked among Capture Magazine’s ‘Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers’ in 2022. Drew’s art direction credits include Sir Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien Covenant’ and Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis' biopic.