Observing a city through its rivers provides the most direct understanding of urban dynamics. Photographer Wan Chaofan, with his keen eye, has long documented the transformation of Japan’s primary waterway, the Arakawa River. This watercourse, which once frequently flooded and profoundly influenced the lives of riverside residents, stands as a witness to Tokyo’s metropolitan evolution.
This exhibition focuses on the symbiotic relationship between “humans and landscape,” transcending the conventional notion of “people in landscapes” to explore “landscapes with human presence” — a fresh perspective encompassing the intersection of humanity, society, and nature. Through the lens, we glimpse Arakawa’s daily life: swimmers, anglers, boaters, alongside floating debris, stranded fish, and the convergence of industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, and rainwater. Each image narrates the subtle changes in riverside communities and natural environment, validating the exhibition’s profound title, “Yes, The River Knows.”
About Artist｜Wan Chaofan (1991~)
Born in Gu’an, Hebei, China, in 1991.
BA, graduated at Southwest University, Chongqing, China, 2013.
MA, graduated at Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan, 2017.
DA, graduated at Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan, 2021.
Co-founder of STAIRS PRESS
Member of TOTEM POLE PHOTO GALLERY
Awards
2023 24th Miki Jun Award, Japan2023 24th Miki Jun Award, Japan
2021 44th New Cosmos of Photography — Excellence Award, Japan
2016 4thKAWABA NEW-NATURE PHOTO AWARD — Kawabamura Award, Japan
2016 5th Canon Photographers Session — Canon Award, Japan
Publications
2022 Yes, the River Knows—Arakawa River, STAIRS PRESS, Japan
2020 BURNING IN THE STONE, Wan Publishing, Japan
2018 Obsercing Objects, Wan Publishing , Japan
2016 By the Water, STAIRS PRESS, Japan
Solo Exhibitions
2025 Yes, the River Knows—Arakawa River, 1839 Contemporary Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2022 Yes, the River Knows—Arakawa River, NikonSalon, Tokyo, Japan
2022 Meet at the End of the River, ICICLE SPACE, Shanghai, China
2020 BURNING IN THE STONE, TOTEM POLE PHOTO GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan
2019 Here, There And Everywhere, Okayama, Japan
2018 METROPOLIS I, TOTEM POLE PHOTO GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan
2017 Along the Railway, Place M, Tokyo, Japan
2017 Rising Tide, TOTEM POLE PHOTO GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan
2016 By the Water, Umeda Canon Gallery, Osaka, Japan
2016 By the Water, Ginza Canon Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2015 Along the Railway, Place M, Tokyo, Japan
PUBLIC COLLECTION
Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts
WAN Chaofan: Yes, the River Knows – Arakawa River
Exhibition Period｜May 09, 2025 – June 15, 2025
Opening｜Art talk with artist｜Book-Signing｜Sat. May 17, 2025 14:30 – 17:00
Speakers｜WAN Chaofan v.s. I-Chien CHIU (phD)
Organizer: 1839 Contemporary Gallery (specializing in photographic art gallery). What’s 1839? It mean the invention of photography in 1839)
Address: B1, No. 120, Yanji Street, Da’an District, Taipei City