Shin Yatagai

Born in 1993, Shin Yatagai was drawn to Eastern culture from an early age and went on to study Cultural Anthropology at Rikkyo University. His time living in Europe helped shape a multifaceted perspective and a distinctive aesthetic sensibility. He studied under photographer Julia Hetta and is currently based in Shanghai, while working regularly in Tokyo.
Drawing on Eastern thought, culture and history, Yatagai uses photography to reveal the beauty inherent in his subjects and to offer new ways of seeing. His practice explores what lies between the real and the spiritual, the visible and the invisible, while investigating the possibilities of photographic expression. In 2025, he was selected for a residency programme in Shanghai and exhibited at the Pingyao International Photography Festival. He continues to present his work through exhibitions and projects in various locations.

1993　Born in Japan
2014　Studied abroad in the UK
2017　Graduated from Rikkyo University, Cultural Anthropology
2017　Worked at Yohji Yamamoto
2019　Worked at Aoyama Studio
2021　Became an independent photographer
2023　Photographer / Assistant to Julia Hetta
2024　Based in Shanghai and Tokyo

Selected Exhibitions
2020　Emergent, TERRANOVA House,Tokyo
2022　Uroboros, Shinjuku Ophthalmologist Gallery, Tokyo
2025　Approaching a City, Swatch Art Peace Hotel, Shanghai
2025　Luminescence, Art House, Shanghai
2025　环与圆 / Circling the Circle, 何东旧居 / Former Residence of Ho Tung, Shanghai
2025　FLAT FOUR / THREE, Egen Gallery, Tokyo
2026　GLOWSTONE, Shanghai Bund Art Center Space 185, Shanghai
2026　Between Elsewheres, Guangzi Art Center, Shanghai

Residencies
2025　Swatch Art Peace Hotel, Shanghai

Art Festival
2025　Pingyao International Photography Festival Pingyao China