Scroll through the gallery for works by Japanese photographer Mari Katayama.
"Bystander #001" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
Scroll through the gallery for works by Japanese photographer Mari Katayama.
Mari Katayama
Katayama wears a bob-style wig in her shots. "If somebody says 'Oh, is it a wig,' when I wear the wig to form a made-up self, the importance of the difference between artificial and natural becomes ambiguous."
"Shadow Puppet #014" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
Katayama wears a bob-style wig in her shots. "If somebody says 'Oh, is it a wig,' when I wear the wig to form a made-up self, the importance of the difference between artificial and natural becomes ambiguous."
Mari Katayama
Katayama prefers working alone most of the time -- only asking for help when neccessary. "I ask one or two assistants to lift my body," she said, "or position a tripod when a piece is large..."
"On the way home #009" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
Katayama prefers working alone most of the time -- only asking for help when neccessary. "I ask one or two assistants to lift my body," she said, "or position a tripod when a piece is large..."
Mari Katayama
Shots of Katayama on the beach in Naoshima were inspired by Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."
"Bystander #016" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
Shots of Katayama on the beach in Naoshima were inspired by Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."
Mari Katayama
"I have been interested in the Ashio copper mine poison incident, which was the first pollution incident in Japan, for a couple of years," she tells CNN. "I've investigated it. The incident was caused by the flow of Watarase River. I had an interest in water and the sea for a long time, and I tried, I guess, to express a 'drifted self' with that piece."
"On the way home #002" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
"I have been interested in the Ashio copper mine poison incident, which was the first pollution incident in Japan, for a couple of years," she tells CNN. "I've investigated it. The incident was caused by the flow of Watarase River. I had an interest in water and the sea for a long time, and I tried, I guess, to express a 'drifted self' with that piece."
Mari Katayama
She's pictured in a carefully arranged setting that includes prosthetic limbs and childhood toys.
"Beast" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
She's pictured in a carefully arranged setting that includes prosthetic limbs and childhood toys.
Mari Katayama
"... or the schedule is tight (while) on location."
"On the way home #001" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
"... or the schedule is tight (while) on location."
Mari Katayama
Katayama, who's expecting a child in July, credits her mother as one of her inspirations.
"On the way home #008" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
Katayama, who's expecting a child in July, credits her mother as one of her inspirations.
Mari Katayama
"She's very beautiful and strong, and it's always been a challenge for me to surpass her," Katayama says of her mother.
"Bystander #002" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
"She's very beautiful and strong, and it's always been a challenge for me to surpass her," Katayama says of her mother.
Mari Katayama
"She (Katayama's mother) used to be a model, and played the role of both mother and father when raising me by herself. I definitely find her really strong."
"Shadow Puppet #020" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
"She (Katayama's mother) used to be a model, and played the role of both mother and father when raising me by herself. I definitely find her really strong."
Mari Katayama
"If I perceive my body as my own, it would be too embarrassing to shoot self-portraits," she says. "I use my body as a mannequin or my hands when I need to replicate the shape."
"Shadow Puppet #012" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
"If I perceive my body as my own, it would be too embarrassing to shoot self-portraits," she says. "I use my body as a mannequin or my hands when I need to replicate the shape."
Mari Katayama
The artist tells CNN the theme of each shot changes depending on how she feels.
"Bystander #003" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
The artist tells CNN the theme of each shot changes depending on how she feels.
Mari Katayama
"I do have a preference for pieces or artists, but I don't really compare them with my own work even if I wanted to because mine are totally different from other people's," Katayama says.
"Shadow Puppet #005" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
"I do have a preference for pieces or artists, but I don't really compare them with my own work even if I wanted to because mine are totally different from other people's," Katayama says.
Mari Katayama
Katamaya says that she is able to walk now as a result of the work she put in while she was younger. "For this, I have respect for my childhood self."
"Shadow Puppet #001" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
Katamaya says that she is able to walk now as a result of the work she put in while she was younger. "For this, I have respect for my childhood self."
Mari Katayama
Her work was exhibited in "Roppongi Crossing 2016: My Body, Your Voice" at Mori Art Museum in Tokyo last year.
Installation view —
Her work was exhibited in "Roppongi Crossing 2016: My Body, Your Voice" at Mori Art Museum in Tokyo last year.
Courtesy of Takeo Yamada
She was also featured at Japan's contemporary art festival Setouchi Triennale in 2016.
Installation view —
She was also featured at Japan's contemporary art festival Setouchi Triennale in 2016.
Courtesy of Takeo Yamada
This series features a life-sized doll modeled after Katayama.
"Shell" (2016) by Mari Katayama —
This series features a life-sized doll modeled after Katayama.
Mari Katayama
A solo exhibition featuring "Shadow Puppet" is pictured.
Installation view —
A solo exhibition featuring "Shadow Puppet" is pictured.
Courtesy of Takeo Yamada