Suzukawa, [George]. Suzukawa. . . His Search for Truth in Photography.

World Publishing, 1966. [Introductory essays by Sherman E. Lee and Henry J. Seldis. High contrast, sometimes abstract, images of nature coupled with poetic brief statements by the photographer.] Hard cover.  

George Suzukawa (1918–1996) was a Japanese-American photographer and artist recognized for his expressive graphic compositions, nature studies, and technical mastery of mid-century abstract photography. Born in California, Suzukawa spent part of his youth in Japan, where he studied painting and photography before returning to the United States. During World War II, he was forcibly incarcerated alongside thousands of other Japanese Americans at the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming, an experience that profoundly shaped his life and artistic perspective. Settling in Los Angeles after the war, Suzukawa established a successful career in commercial, industrial, and advertising photography while pursuing fine art experimentation on the side. He gained critical acclaim for his innovative close-up studies of natural textures—such as water ripples, sand formations, leaves, and ice crystals—which transformed everyday environmental detail into calligraphic, monochromatic abstractions. His distinct visual style earned him national recognition, including exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, inclusion in major photography anthologies, and representation in prominent museum and university art collections.

Suzukawa: His Search for Truth in Photography is an artistic and philosophical photography monograph showcasing the work of photographer George Suzukawa.

Key Elements of the Work

• The Imagery and Style: The book features a curated selection of both color and high-contrast, black-and-white photographs. Suzukawa's style leans heavily toward the abstract, focusing intimately on patterns, textures, and forms found within nature.

• The Text: Interwoven with the visuals are brief, poetic statements written by Suzukawa himself. Rather than explaining the mechanics of the shots, these expressions detail his inner mindset while capturing the frames. The monograph also includes introductory essays and critical commentaries by prominent art figures.

• The Philosophical Approach: The core theme of the book is the camera as an extension of spiritual and philosophical inquiry. Suzukawa treats photography not as a tool for documentary journalism or superficial replication, but as a medium to peel back surface realities in pursuit of an essential, universal "truth."

Narrative Intent

The monograph serves as a quiet meditation on the intersection of photographic technique and aesthetic philosophy. By isolating fragments of the natural world, Suzukawa guides the viewer away from passive looking and toward active contemplation, arguing that the true purpose of photography is to align internal human emotion with external reality.

Copies available:

• Very good except worn bottom edge and corners, no dust jacket.
• Near fine, no dust jacket.