Born in Tokyo, Fumio Tanai received a degree in Photography from Tokyo Polytechnic University, where he studied under the photographer Eikoh Hosoe.  Through Eikoh Hosoe, he was enlightened to how artistic expression is created. Fumio Tanai's encounter with Daido Moriyama was also decisive. Moriyama's works appeared to subtle to Fumio Tanai's eyes although his photography style is widely known to give strong impressions to viewers “It may be because I slowly absorbed the images inside of me. I was a junior high student at that time," says Fumio Tanai.
Receiving an Art Fellowship from the Japanese Government, Fumio Tanai lived in China in 1996 and London in 2005-2006.
His extensive international projects done in China, England, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan have been exhibited in Japan and France since 1990.  
Since his beginning, Fumio Tanai has explores the role of photography in connecting the self to others and has demonstrated an enigmatic appeal and a tale of harmony that allow us to penetrate in social reality. Fumio Tanai's street photography manages to capture the sensitivity of ordinary people and the depth of their identities. His photographic language expresses an innovative way of seeing, and the combined faces and rooms in his "Signs” series give a realistic approach to the essence of being.  
 
After his first solo exhibition in New York, Fumio Tanai will exhibit in Tokyo in May 2008, at Gallery 21.  
 

Public Collection
Bibliotheque Nationale  de  France (BNF-France)
Hungary Japan Museum


Selected Solo Exhibitions
2002  Shuko Gallery / Fukuoka
2001  Gallery 21 / Tokyo
1999  Galerie Point / Paris
1995  Egg Gallery / Tokyo
1990  Kodak Photo Salon / Tokyo
 
Selected Group Exhibitions
2004  Gallery 21 / Tokyo with Robert Frank, Marc Ribourd, Daido Moriama
2002  Tokyo Metropoletan Museum of Photography / Tokyo
1997  Kobe Hankyu Museum / Hyougo
1996  Art Garden Kawasaki / Kanagawa
1991  Yokohama Civic Art Gallery / Kanagawa