Josie Hall's Red Patience exhibition explores Kendo and Japanese culture through photography and video

London-based photographer Josie Hall presents Red Patience, an exhibition at Have A Butchers in London from 17 April to 1 May 2026. The show features visceral, mesmeric images that use the ancient martial art of Kendo as a prism to examine Japanese culture's structure and intensity. Hall, known for work intersecting art, fashion, and futurism, was inspired by her experiences in Tokyo, where she first encountered Kendo's unsettling sounds in quiet residential streets. Her research led her to Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings, which provided a philosophical framework for the project. The exhibition includes a video collaboration with artist Mike Lamont, exploring experimental methods that blend film with still imagery, echoing traditional Japanese ink paintings. Hall's photographic approach focuses on painting light, capturing harmony between light, colour, and shape, influenced by Tokyo's textures and animé. She plans to expand the series further, concentrating on the beauty in chaos. Hall has previously shot for Balenciaga, Martine Rose, and Prada.