Shikoku no Seijaku (Shikoku Silence) invites viewers on a visual journey through the serene yet haunting landscapes of Shikoku Island, Japan. Captured through the lens of Damien Drew, remnants of formerly vibrant townships illuminate the patinations of an ageing population and rural to urban drift. Scenes of desertion embody a Gothic splendour, imbuing both melancholy and ‘wabi sabi’ principles. Viewers are invited to contemplate the delicate interplay between renewal and decline and to reflect on the quietude and beauty of these unpeopled landscapes.
Drawing on his architectural training and extensive experience as an art director for feature films, Damien 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.