NJG Studio

It was January 1985, Tokyo – Madonna’s first visit to Japan to promote the ‘Like a Virgin’ album. Photographer Kenji Wakasugi was allotted 45 minutes for a photo session commissioned by Playboy Weekly Excite. In the studio there was one flash unit and one pink sofa, nothing else. Loaded with a mesh of now iconic references from early Gaultier and Westwood, to the Healthy Swimmer T-shirt and Boy Toy belt-buckle, the Takara Kronoform robot watch, to Maripol’s layered rubber and crucifix jewellery – time has done nothing to diminish the potency of these photographs.

The opening and closing pages of ADORE offer a further insight into Kenji’s 80s nocturnal world. A myriad of street neon’s and bustling commuters but amongst all the noise are Kenji’s beautifully serene interiors. These delicate Japanese motifs of flowers, birds, even an eclipse, punctuate the chaos. This paradoxical meeting of culture and nature is central to all Kenji’s subsequent work as a serious artist.

Published for the first time ADORE is the complete overview of the session – 200 pages include 324 frames, 10 contact sheets, together with 111 large format black and white portraits. Furthermore, the design of this art-book pays homage to Japanese 80s minimalism. The aqua cover features only the title ADORE debossed in ebony lettering. Madonna’s name is foiled in Japanese text on the accompanying canary yellow and neon pink bellybands (hand sewn) – the idea being that the book itself becomes an object of beauty. It is also worth noting that the entire first edition is bound in recycled paper made from coffee cup waste – taking some steps towards reducing environmental impact.  This edition includes the canary yellow bellyband with a signed and numbered certificate by Kenji Wakasugi.

PLEASE NOTE BOOKS WILL SHIP FROM 8TH FEBRUARY 2021 however shipping remains subject to change and delays may occur should further local Covid 19 measures be put in place. Orders can take up to 48 – 72 hours to process during busy periods.

AS OF 1ST JULY 2021 OWING TO NEW EU RULES, LOCAL VAT RATES WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT FOR ALL ORDERS WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION. Orders can take up to 48 – 72 hours to process during busy periods. The books are non refundable. Additional customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer.