PNEUMA, Ayaka Endo

Pneuma captures moments where landscapes shaped over countless years intersect with the intensity of the present. It is neither as intangible as the wind nor simply as invisible as the soul. Instead, it evokes the subtle vibration of life that exists somewhere in between, expressed through Endo’s distinctive sense of colour and composition.

Pneuma was photographed in Tōno, Iwate Prefecture, where horses live free from reins and horseshoes, existing in a state that is closer to their natural way of being. The title, Pneuma, comes from the ancient Greek word meaning “breath,” “spirit,” or “soul.” Guided by an instinctive awareness that exists before language, Endo photographed as if extending her own body into the surrounding world.

The photobook is designed by Hiromi Fujita, an acclaimed designer known for her editorial work. Reimagining Endo’s layered visual world in book form, the publication offers another way of experiencing the work. 

Published by Roshin Books, Tokyo, Japan.