Ryo Utsunomiya | Artist Biography

Born in 1988 in Hyogo, Japan.

Departing from the conventional education system at an early age, Utsunomiya moved to Tokyo alone at 17 to pursue a career in music. For the following decade, he led his own band as a bandleader, performing at venues across Japan and honing his sense of spatial composition through sound.

Upon returning to his hometown, he spent seven years as a high school teacher at a specialized institution in Asago, Hyogo, supporting students who had experienced school refusal. This period deeply influenced his perspective on life and resilience.

In 2022, he launched his career as an independent artist. His work centers on wildlife photography, integrated into immersive spatial installations that incorporate elements of sound and light. He also actively collaborates with international artists on exhibition planning and joint productions.

His photography has been featured in prestigious global media outlets, including National Geographic (Your Shot, Animals, Arab) and BBC Wildlife Magazine. He was also selected as a finalist for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, organized by the Natural History Museum, London.

In addition to his creative work, Utsunomiya serves as an Ambassador and Editor’s Choice Curator for the global photography platform 500px (Canada) and as Head Curator for 1x.com (Sweden). He has also served as a jury member for numerous international photography awards.

In 2024, he was named Photographer of the Year at the MUSE Photography Awards. His works are held in the permanent collection of the Asago Art Village Museum in Hyogo, Japan.