2009 Infinity Award: Art

Rinko Kawauchi has become one of the most notable Japanese photographers of her generation through work that illustrates the cycle of existence, drawing on the temporal themes of birth, life, and death. Born in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, Kawauchi became interested in photography while studying at Seian University of Art and Design. She first gained success with the simultaneous publication of three books in 2001: Hanako, Utatane, and Hanabi. Her publications and exhibitions have since been seen worldwide and she has appeared in several museum exhibitions and festivals, including Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie, Arles; Fondation Cartier, Paris; Huis Marseille, Amsterdam; and The Photographers' Gallery, London. Awards given to Kawauchi include the Grand Prix Prize at the Guardian Garden's 9th Hitotsubo Exhibition in 1997 and the 27th Kimura Ihei Award in 2002.