It's hard to believe that it's been over a year since we've checked in on Hideaki Hamada and his two sweet sons, Haru and Mina. Just recently, a selection of Hamada's photos were part of a solo exhibition at the Sincewell Gallery in Kaoshuing, Taiwan. I'll always be thankful that a proud father like Hideaki would share his sons' treasured childhood moments with the world, reminding us to always stay curious and giving us a deeper appreciation for the relationships we have with our own siblings.
Update: We got in touch with Hideaki to ask him how his family has been doing. Read that interview, below.
What's changed in the year since we last touched base? How are your boys doing?
They are growing and developing all the time. The elder son will go to elementary school this spring. The second son is a cheerful child. He always makes us laugh. Our life is generally happy and peaceful like my pictures.
Tell us about the new solo show you had in Taiwan. How did that come about and how did it go?
I had my exhibition at Sincewell Gallery in Kaoshuing for a month. Kaoshuing is the second largest city and located in the south of Taiwan. The gallery is managed by a famous restaurant company in Taiwan.
At first, I received an invitation of exhibition from the gallery manager through Facebook(!), last May. We talked about the exhibition many times by email and sometimes by phone.
I showed 20 pictures with wood frames. I visited for the opening party with my family. During the exhibition, more than 2,000 people visited. I will never forget this amazing experience.
I'll have my exhibition in Taipei and Lithuania this year and next year in Singapore. I realize that my world is getting broader but the distance to people around the world seems to be getting closer.
What are the emails you've gotten from people around the world been like?
People often say “Reminds me of my childhood.” Because I want to tell you something invisible, I'm so glad to hear it. Even born and brought up in different countries, we can share same feelings through photographs.
Where do you hope to take your photography from here?
The future. It's the future of my children. And connecting to the world. Thank you.
