Cover Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
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Recently seen at the National Museum of Natural History, the ‘Faces and Flora’ photography exhibition triumphantly reaches Tokyo, issuing fresh insights into the native plants from the Philippines and Japan
When Manila-based photographer Jan Mayo received the Fujifilm GFX Challenge Grant Program 2022, one of his motivations was to develop a unique beauty editorial photography series that marries his profound interest in native flora. Widely renowned as a portrait photographer, Mayo collaborated with celebrity models and botanists to turn his vision into reality.
Following its successful run at the National Museum of Natural History in 2024, Mayo continues the exhibition’s journey by highlighting new connections between art and science, the Philippines and Japan.
Read more: National Museum of Natural History presents ‘Faces and Flora’ photography exhibition by Jan Mayo
Above Photographer Jan Mayo during the opening of his ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
Photographer Jan Mayo during the opening of his ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
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Resulting from the Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Research renewed in 2023 between The University Museum, The University of Tokyo (UMUT), and the National Museum of the Philippines, the exhibition was presented coinciding with this year’s celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Japan as a major partner.
The exhibition’s new edition features photographs of Japanese plants, newly produced specifically for this exhibition, taken at the Botanical Gardens, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo (Koishikawa Botanical Garden).
Above A Japanese model interpreting the yabu-tsubaki (Photo: Jan Mayo)
Above A photo of yabu-tsubaki [Japanese camellia] (Photo: Jan Mayo)
A Japanese model interpreting the yabu-tsubaki (Photo: Jan Mayo)
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“The recent exhibition in Tokyo was no longer covered by the Fujifilm Grant, but it helped me kickstart this project,” Mayo explains. “That is why I sought the help of different agencies and companies, such as the Embassy of the Philippines in Japan for the opening and connecting us to different embassies, Fujifilm Corporation through sponsorship to create the Japanese collection, the Japan Foundation Manila and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines for the printing of the exhibition catalogue.
The project thus became an international and intercultural effort,” he adds.
Similar to how the Philippine exhibition was mounted, Mayo showcased his photographs alongside herbarium specimens—fundamental materials for botanical research, including classification, identification, and documentation of natural environments. The Herbarium of the University of Tokyo (TI) and the Philippine National Herbarium (PNH) are internationally recognised research centres for the flora of East and Southeast Asia. For this exhibition, specimens of the same species photographed by Mayo were specially selected from these collections for public display.
Read more: Inside Arroceros Forest Park and its thriving ecosystem
Ayumi Terada, Arvin Manuel Villalon, Kaori Hayashi, Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Jan Mayo, Christian de Jesus, and Jhaydee Ann Pascual
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“Conincidentally, one of the pillars of the Intermediatheque Museum is ArtScience, how the facets of art can inform and complement science. Displaying the photos alongside actual herbarium specimens highlights contrast and establishes a personal connection with the viewer,” Mayo shares.
The exhibition offers fresh insights into the flora of the Philippines and Japan, while deepening appreciation for the natural environments and cultural narratives in which these plants exist.
“In East Asian culture before photography, the importance of skill in drawing or painting complements the study of botany, since one has to be skilful in accurately portraying a plant or a flower,” the photographer explains. “Surprisingly, it was very well received in Tokyo since this is something new to their community. What began as a simple project became an intercultural and diplomatic dialogue.”
Above Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
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In addition, the exhibition highlights two bird specimens collected by the naturalist Yaeko Yamamura (1899–1996) on Basilan Island in the Philippines. Now part of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology collection and entrusted to UMUT, these specimens provide insight into the enduring history of exchange between Japan and the Philippines.
Among the guests during the opening of the exhibition were University of Tokyo’s University Museum curator Ayumi Terada, National Museum of the Philippines’ acting deputy director-general for museums Arvin Manuel Villalon, University of Tokyo’s executive vice president Kaori Hayashi, University of Tokyo’s University Museum director Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Japan’s deputy chief of mission Christian de Jesus, and the National Museum of the Philippines’ botany and national herbarium division curator Jhaydee Ann Pascual.
Above Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
Above Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
Inside the ‘Faces and Flora’ exhibition at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: courtesy of Jan Mayo)
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“In general, I hope beauty and fashion photography can be used as a tool to educate and inform people of societal and environmental issues. And I hope that with this exhibition, it will show that collaboration with scientists is possible and their community is very welcoming to new ideas,” Mayo concludes.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
