Bio
Mario is a photographer, curator and educator of Japanese descent, based in Manchester. He graduated from the Manchester School of Art in 2007 and has since continued to work on personal projects and commissions. In his personal work, his interests lie in man’s often paradoxical relationship to the natural environment and how this finds expression in the post-industrial areas of Britain and abroad.
His work has been exhibited and published in Britain and internationally, most recently at HOME (Manchester), Signal (Barrow in Furness) and in external exhibitions with Open Eye Gallery. He is currently developing long-term projects in both the UK and Italy that explore place in the context of industrial legacy, nature and community and will embark on an artist’s residency in Wigan with Open Eye Gallery, in spring 2023.
As a freelance curator, Mario has led and curated on the production of a number of contemporary photography exhibitions in the North, working with and alongside organisations such as Open Eye Gallery, Impressions Gallery, HOME Manchester and Castlefield Gallery.
Exhibitions
Seaside Terminus, West Coast Photo, Signal, Barraow-in-Furness, 2021
Of Flesh and Stone, Granada Galleries, HOME, Manchester, 2018
Shaped by Stone, ‘On the Stony Path’ Group Exhibition, GroundWork Gallery, Norfolk, 2017
Shaped by Stone, ’Northern Light’ group exhibition, SIA Gallery, Sheffield, 2016
Shaped by Stone, Jack Sevens Gallery & Teggs Nose Visitors Centre, Macclesfield 2016
Looking Glass, ’Transition’group exhibition, PS Mirabel Gallery, Manchester, 2016
Enduring Growth, ‘Inside Out’ group exhibition, Wuhan Province, China, 2015
Enduring Growth, Cornerhouse, Manchester, 2014
Track Record, Islington Mill, Manchester, 2011
Suburban Gothic, The Art Corner, Manchester, 2010
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studios, Rome, 2007
Observer Hodge Award, Guardian Newsroom, 2006
Nikon Discovery Awards, Olympia Centre, London, 2007
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studio, Rome, 2007
Seaside Terminus, West Coast Photo, Signal, Barraow-in-Furness, 2021
Of Flesh and Stone, Granada Galleries, HOME, Manchester, 2018
Shaped by Stone, ‘On the Stony Path’ Group Exhibition, GroundWork Gallery, Norfolk, 2017
Shaped by Stone, ’Northern Light’ group exhibition, SIA Gallery, Sheffield, 2016
Shaped by Stone, Jack Sevens Gallery & Teggs Nose Visitors Centre, Macclesfield 2016
Looking Glass, ’Transition’group exhibition, PS Mirabel Gallery, Manchester, 2016
Enduring Growth, ‘Inside Out’ group exhibition, Wuhan Province, China, 2015
Enduring Growth, Cornerhouse, Manchester, 2014
Track Record, Islington Mill, Manchester, 2011
Suburban Gothic, The Art Corner, Manchester, 2010
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studios, Rome, 2007
Observer Hodge Award, Guardian Newsroom, 2006
Nikon Discovery Awards, Olympia Centre, London, 2007
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studio, Rome, 2007
Awards
Grain Portfolio Prize, FORMAT Festival, 2023
ACE Grants For Arts – Awarded, 2019
ACE Grants For Arts – Awarded, 2017
Barnaby Arts Festival Commission – Winner , 2015
Tim Hetherington Trust Award – Nomination, 2014
Magenta Flash Forward Award – Winner, 2013
Nikon Discovery Awards – Shortlisted, 2007
Observer Hodge Award – Highly Commended, 2006
Clients
HOME, Manchester
The Independent
RNCM, Manchester
24/7 Theatre Festival
AG Photographic Journal
The British Council
Panos South Asia
Contact Theatre, Manchester
Random House Publications
Community Arts Northwest
Manifesto, Rome
Grain Portfolio Prize, FORMAT Festival, 2023
ACE Grants For Arts – Awarded, 2019
ACE Grants For Arts – Awarded, 2017
Barnaby Arts Festival Commission – Winner , 2015
Tim Hetherington Trust Award – Nomination, 2014
Magenta Flash Forward Award – Winner, 2013
Nikon Discovery Awards – Shortlisted, 2007
Observer Hodge Award – Highly Commended, 2006
Clients
HOME, Manchester
The Independent
RNCM, Manchester
24/7 Theatre Festival
AG Photographic Journal
The British Council
Panos South Asia
Contact Theatre, Manchester
Random House Publications
Community Arts Northwest
Manifesto, Rome