In M/E, Rinko Kawauchi explores the profound connections between the individual, the Earth, and the universe, weaving together themes of natural landscapes, family, and existence. The title, signifying both “Mother Earth” and “me,” reflects this complex and intimate relationship. Her serene photographs navigate between micro and macro perspectives, revealing the equality and interconnectedness of all things within the grand cycle of life.

In Iceland, a land of glaciers and volcanoes where the Earth's vitality is palpable, Kawauchi felt a visceral connection to the planet. Entering a volcano evoked for her a return to the center of creation, with magma symbolizing the cycle of birth and renewal. She described this experience as a revelation: “For the first time, I felt as though I was truly on a planet.”

The pandemic deepened this exploration, prompting her to refocus on the ordinary while capturing celestial elements such as the moon and stars, forging a link between humanity and the cosmos.

For Kawauchi, photography is a profoundly physical act: stepping back to better perceive, absorbing to better understand. This movement between distance and proximity lies at the heart of her work. She also unveils the beauty of the quiet rhythms of family life, finding universal resonance in small details. As she puts it: “The universe created humanity so that each person could illuminate another, for the universe cannot see itself, and we cannot see ourselves.”
Her images illuminate these connections, inviting us to reflect on our place within the vastness of existence.