Emerging from five years in Japan, “Shadows” transcends conventional visual storytelling through a collection of color and black-and-white photographs.

Each image captures a moment delicately balanced between reality and imagination, where light and shadow transform fleeting instants into timeless echoes.

In this work, the line between the seen and unseen blurs, reflecting a culture rich in tradition yet constantly evolving. It embodies the duality of the present intertwined with the ancient past.

“Shadows” is more than a collection; it is a visual symphony that challenges artistic boundaries. Here, shadows become vessels for untold stories, inviting exploration of the beauty hidden within the chiaroscuro of existence.

Shadows are not merely the absence of light; they are also mirrors reflecting the unknown—an alter- nate image of the light we perceive and live in. They embody a kind of afterimage of reality. The shad- ows on someone’s face often reveal more about shape than the light itself. The absence of light and preconceptions seems to go hand in hand in this analogy. I arrived in Japan at the beginning of 2019, knowing little about the country and with few connections. The allure of exploring the unknown, free from preconceptions, amidst the chaotic city- scape and diverse nature outside of the city felt liberat- ing. As I delved deeper into this new chapter of my life—a departure from the familiar comforts of home and the beginning of a journey into the unknown—I found myself immersed in the creation of “Shad- ows.” With the support of fellow creatives and collaborators, I allowed myself to explore freely, uncov- ering a visual symphony of fleeting moments that offered glimpses into the unfamiliar landscape of a new country. Through this process, I realized that shadows were more than mere absence of light;

they served as mirrors, reflecting not only the tangible reality but also the intangible essence beyond what the light could reveal. As my investigation into this work deepened, my imagination expanded be- yond the limits of perception. Much of my artistic endeavor is grounded in this principle—the ability to envision something beyond the confines of what is immediately evident.

In pushing the boundaries of perception, I found myself at the threshold of immanence, where the lines between reality and imagination blurred. The shadows, in their ever-shifting forms, became a reflection of my own journey—a journey of exploration, discovery, and self-realization.

Originally released in Paris at Ofr. Librairie, the book debuted on October 16, 2024.

The exhibition of ‘Shadows’ took place in Tokyo, Japan at Post-Fake gallery from 11.08.2024-11.17.2024. The show consisted of select images from the book printed at various scales.

John Clayton Lee is a photographer from the United States represented globally by Home Agency. He studied painting and fine art at the Maryland Institute College of Art and at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore for filmmaking.
He now lives and works in Tokyo, Japan.

Select clients include Dazed & Confused, Levi’s, Salomon, Nike, Vogue, Yohji Yamamoto, Uniqlo, The North Face, and W Magazine