In her new series of photographic works Shizuka Yokomizo continues to explore the tension between the documentary and fictional aspect of photographic representation that she began in her earlier series 'Strangers'. In this previous series the artist invited complete strangers to be photographed from outside their windows. This time Yokomizo is on the other side of the window and by collaborating with her acquaintances replaces physical and emotional distance with a new intimacy. Rather than looking outward to acknowledge the camera, the subjects look inward, apparently absorbed in moments of self-reflection. On this occasion Yokomizo and her subjects construct the instances together. The situations are based on the artist's imaginative visualisation and the subject's own experience of their everyday life. The constructed nature of these scenarios mean that their authenticity is difficult to discern. Yokomizo tries to negotiate a point between her own perception of her subjects and their inner light.

Shizuka Yokomizo was born in Tokyo and lives and works in London. Past exhibitions include ‘Dear Stranger’ at The Approach, London, 2000, and Cohan, Leslie + Browne, New York, 2001, and ‘Latest Works’, Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo, 2001. Forthcoming exhibitions include a solo show at Museuo Arte Contemporanea di Roma, Italy and the touring show ‘Reality Check’, organised by the British Council and The Photographers Gallery.