Kyotographie's 14th Edition Centers South African Photography with 'EDGE' Theme
The 14th Kyotographie International Photography Festival is set to take place in Kyoto, Japan, from April 18 to May 17, 2026. Established in 2013 by Lucille Reyboz and Yusuke Nakanishi, this year's focus is on the theme 'EDGE', showcasing 15 exhibitions that highlight South African artists such as Ernest Cole, Pieter Hugo, and Lebohang Kganye. A special homage to Palestinian photographer Fatma Hassona will also be featured. One of the main exhibitions, 'Photo book! Photo-book! Photobook!', curated by Sean O’Toole, presents 250 publications from 1945, juxtaposing state-endorsed works with those that were banned. Artists like Linder Sterling, Anton Corbijn, Thandiwe Muriu, and Yves Marchand & Romain Meffre are included. The festival will also explore site-specific installations and the impact of AI on photography, drawing inspiration from the 2011 earthquake and the Fukushima disaster.
Key facts
- Kyotographie International Photography Festival's 14th edition runs 18 April to 17 May 2026 in Kyoto, Japan.
- The 2026 theme is 'EDGE', exploring pressing contemporary issues through 15 main exhibitions.
- The festival spotlights South African photography with work by Ernest Cole, Pieter Hugo, and Lebohang Kganye.
- Curator Sean O’Toole presents 'Photo book! Photo-book! Photobook!', featuring 250 South African publications from 1945 onward.
- The festival includes a tribute to Palestinian photographer and activist Fatma Hassona.
- Co-founders Lucille Reyboz and Yusuke Nakanishi established the festival in 2013, inspired by Les Rencontres d’Arles.
- Exhibitions are held in Kyoto heritage sites, with one 2026 show in a nature-reclaimed monks' dormitory.
- Additional featured artists include Linder Sterling, Anton Corbijn, Thandiwe Muriu, Yves Marchand & Romain Meffre, Sari Shibata, and Juliette Agnel.
Entities
Artists
- Lucille Reyboz
- Yusuke Nakanishi
- Ernest Cole
- Pieter Hugo
- Lebohang Kganye
- Fatma Hassona
- Sean O’Toole
- Sam Haskins
- Linder Sterling
- Anton Corbijn
- Thandiwe Muriu
- Yves Marchand
- Romain Meffre
- Daidō Moriyama
- Sari Shibata
- Juliette Agnel
- Atsushi Fukushima
Institutions
- Kyotographie International Photography Festival
- Les Rencontres d’Arles
- A4 Arts Foundation
- Hayward Gallery
- Ruinart Japan Award
- Van Cleef & Arpels
- 1854 Photography
Locations
- Kyoto
- Japan
- South Africa
- Tokyo
- Fukushima
- Cape Town
- London
- Kano
- France