Tadashi Ono

Tadashi Ono is a professor at the National School of Photography, Arles, where he has been a permanent teaching staff member since 2017. Prior to this, he directed the Photography-Video section at the Kyoto University of Art and Design from 2011 to 2017. His work bridges artistic practice with academic engagement in photography and environmental studies.

• Born in Tokyo
• Master’s in agronomy (ecology and botany), Shinshu University, Japan
• Graduated from École nationale supérieure de la photographie d’Arles (1991)

Ono’s research explores the intersection of environmental transformation, social history, and photographic representation. Notable projects include documenting the Tohoku coastal reconstruction post-2011 tsunami and analyzing public space dynamics after Istanbul’s Gezi Park protests (2013). His work engages with urban landscapes, ecological challenges, and cultural narratives.

He has curated major exhibitions such as Photoquai 2009 at the Musée du Quai Branly and the Prix Découverte at the Rencontres d'Arles (2012). His photography has been exhibited internationally, including at the Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo (2006), Kyotographie Festival (2018), and Villa Noailles (2019).

• Scientific Awards
  • Laureate (duo project with Julien Guinand)
  • Artist-in-residence at Villa Kujoyama, Kyoto (2017)