Statement

dementia diaries

A record of my father with dementia. Now at the nurcing home, his memories recede day by day. Conversations are difficult but at every visit, I take pictures. The brief moment when I point the camera, our line of vision crosses. At this age, I feel a little embarassed taking a father-son photo; a selfie or a self-time makes it impossible for us to look at each other. So, I frame myself in the smartphone camera. Using photography, I keep a record of myself with my father with forgotten memories.

Profile

Hisaya Katagami

Born and lives in Hiroshima. Commercial photographer.

2016 2nd The Editors' Photo Award Zooms Japan2017 Public Award
2021 Portrait of Japan shortlist

Jury selection

Review by Kimi Himeno, Director of Akaaka Art Publishing

In this series of his father’s portraits, the photographer captures himself taking the picture using the camera screen of a smartphone. The phone is with the father, their line of vision crosses and in this composition that enacts a scene in which they are photographing each other, the images seem to also reflect his father’s dementia. By enhancing the presence of the smartphone and layering the photographic structure, he creates a portrait only possible at this time.

Links

• HP：hisayakatagami.com

  Instagram：@hisayakatagami