Mother’s #24 Possibly 2001 - 2014

Ishiuchi Miyako made this photograph, Mother’s #24, using black and white film. It's one of many photographs she took of her mother’s belongings after her death. In this case, a piece of underwear. In postwar Japan, the legacy of loss and trauma became a central theme in art and literature. The artist's work, often focusing on marginalized subjects and personal narratives, challenged the dominant narratives of progress and modernization. The black and white photography gives the image a documentary feel. But, the intimacy of the subject also opens up a space to consider the emotional impact of loss. How does one come to terms with losing a parent? And what role do personal items play in this process? To explore this work further, one could investigate the history of photography in Japan, focusing on the rise of documentary photography as a tool for social commentary. Research into the artist's biography and the cultural context of postwar Japan would also offer valuable insights.