Yancey Richardson presents Ten Owls, an exhibition by Yamamoto Masao, the artist’s seventh solo presentation with the gallery. Focusing on his photographs of owls, the exhibition comprises nine gelatin silver prints printed by the artist, a selection that reveals his deep respect for the owl, depicting not only their beauty and grace, but also their eccentricity, companionship and individuality.
Throughout his career, Yamamoto has engaged with birds, capturing their flight and stillness with his elegant poeticism. Owls, or ‘The Forest Guardian’ as he calls them, have been a recurring subject among his bird images. Yamamoto stated, “Owls live in the woods that I call home. When night falls, their low, rhythmic hooting drifts
through the air—a melody so soothing it feels like music for the soul. Seeing an owl perched on a well-shaped branch of a mountain walnut tree is like a scene out of a picture book. Even by day, owls occasionally glide silently past me at a low altitude.
“Owls have always been a familiar presence to me. However, as the number of people living in the forest grew, those with no interest in the laws of nature began clearing the trees. Sadly, the owls’ perches are vanishing. Even so, when I hear their faint hooting echoing from somewhere in the distance, I feel a sense of peace.”
Born in Gamagori-City, Japan, in 1957, Yamamoto is based in Yamanashi, Japan.
Zach Ritter
Yamamoto Masao : Ten Owls
April 16 – May 23, 2026
Opening April 16, 6-8PM
Yancey Richardson
525 W 22nd St.
New York, NY 10011
www.yanceyrichardson.com
