Eric Kanigan

Eric Kanigan - Interlude, Photography 2025, Printed After

"Shinto is Japan’s oldest religion, with origins dating back to the tail end of the Stone Age. While many Japanese people do not consider themselves religious, a large percentage of the population still follows Shinto ideas today. You don’t have to venture far in the country to find one of its 80,000 shrines. They stand tall in quiet forests, over the water along the island’s coasts, and above rice fields. Shinto was not born from a specific founder or religious scripture—it lives within the people. It is not a defining characteristic—rather, it is a part of life. Personal virtues are emphasized over strict rituals or rules. Benevolence, harmony, courage, and gratitude all support the key theme of Shinto: the concept of purity, or harae. The religion holds that humans are inherently good and should cleanse themselves of moral and spiritual impurities. Followers strive to achieve makoto no kokoro—a heart of truth. You will see a version of this ritual at the entrance of shrines. Visitors gather at a water basin and use a wooden ladle to pour water over each of their hands. It's fitting that some of Japan’s animal residents appear to find their own quiet form of renewal in the mountains. For centuries, monkeys have appeared in Japanese folklore with a variety of meanings. They have been used as metaphors for tricksters and the negative traits of humans, but they have also served as sacred messengers to the gods. On this rainy morning in northern Japan, I observed macaques who seemed to embody both roles. There were the raucous individuals—screeching, pulling hair, and chasing others beside the hot springs—falling...

"""That very night in Max's room a forest grew and grew— and grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around"" ‍What is “wild,” really? It’s untouc...

"Selection matters. Selection matters even more when you’re making a choice for life. Among bald eagles, till death do us part holds true. Only in the event of a partner's passing—...

"Selection matters. Selection matters even more when you’re making a choice for life. Among bald eagles, till death do us part holds true. Only in the event of a partner's passing—...

"Human Nature Pt. 2" Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 2/7 by Brendan North Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issued by the Artist not framed ships rolled in a tube...

"Human Nature Pt. 2" Photography 20" x 16" inch Edition of 15 by Brendan North Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issued by the Artist not framed ships rolled in a tu...

Limited edition Lambda Chromogenic Print mounted on Dibond (an aluminum substrate) with UV Acrylic. Available in three sizes: 24 x 36 inches (61 x 94 cm) Edition Size: 12 40 x ...

"Human Nature Pt. 3" Photography 30" x 24" inch Edition 2/7 by Brendan North Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issued by the Artist not framed ships rolled in a tube...