A Frozen Moment, A Flowing History
Shomei Tomatsu, born before World War II and raised in post-war Japan, is one of the most influential post-war Japanese photographers. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the exhibition “Shomei Tomatsu Photography Exhibition – Nagasaki 1945-2025” will open on June 21, 2025, at 1839 Contemporary Gallery in Taipei’s East District. This carefully curated exhibition features 51 pieces from Tomatsu’s Nagasaki series, including 36 black-and-white works and 15 color photographs. Through the lens of his camera, the exhibition profoundly interprets the historical imprints of post-war Nagasaki and re-examines that pivotal moment that forever changed the course of world history. These photographs serve not only as historical documentation but also as a profound meditation on peace.
The exhibition opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 21st at 2:30 PM, followed by talk session at 3:00 PM, featuring distinguished speakers including Mrs. Yasuko Tomatsu (wife of Shomei Tomatsu), Professor Ryuta Imafuku (Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Cultural Anthropologist), and Mr. Hsiao Yung-Sheng (Photography History Researcher). They will engage in a discussion about Shomei Tomatsu’s photographic language and historical responsibility.
The exhibition begins with a single, haunting object: a wristwatch stopped at 11:02 AM, the exact moment the atomic bomb detonated over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. This silent, motionless watch has become a symbol of that irreversible instant—a relic that bridges the past and present, Nagasaki and the world. Though frozen in time, the watch speaks volumes: history is not static. The catastrophe of the atomic bomb did not end at 11:02 AM—it continues to echo in our present.
Through his lens, Shomei Tomatsu captured not only the ruins and recovery of a city but also the dignity, resilience, and humanity of its people. His photographs are not just records of the past—they are questions posed to the present, urging us to confront the ongoing legacy of violence and memory.
We invite you to experience this powerful exhibition and reflect on the moment that changed the world—and how it continues to shape us today.
About the Photographer, Shomei Tomatsu (From Wikipedia)
Shomei Tomatsu Photo Exhibition – Nagasaki 1945–2025
Works on Display｜51 photographs (36 black-and-white, 15 color)
Opening｜Art talk｜Sat. June 21, 2025 14:30 – 17:00
Speakers｜Yasuko Tomatsu (wife of Shomei Tomatsu)、
Ryuta Imaguku (Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Cultural Anthropologist)
Hsiao Yung-Sheng (Photography History Researcher)
Organizer: 1839 Contemporary Gallery (specializing in photographic art gallery). What’s 1839? It mean the invention of photography in 1839)
Curator｜ I-Chien CHIU (phD)
Address: B1, No. 120, Yanji Street, Da’an District, Taipei City