WILL MATSUDA GALLERY

KAMP Gallery presents Shrine, the debut solo exhibition by Will Matsuda.

Since 2018, Matsuda has used photography and writing to examine the climate crisis, focusing on the surroundings near his home in Portland, Oregon. With the photographs of Shrine, exhibited here together for the first time, Matsuda draws from aesthetics of Japanese woodblock printmaking when interpreting these landscapes — the sky burns crimson, a tiny frog clutches a lily, a giant wave explodes into the night. He searches for the sublime while questioning the aestheticization of our existential crisis, ultimately meditating on the power of non-human animals, life, elements, processes, and cycles.

Custom laser-engraved frames and shelving were also produced for the show, connecting a loose mythology/ spirituality to the photographs. Big thanks to Portland-based musician Sqip, who provided a DJ set to soundtrack the opening night of the show.