Michiko Matsumoto

Biography

Michiko Matumoto is a filmmaker, photographer, essayist, currently based in Tokyo. Born in Shizuoka Pref. Japan in 1950. Received her degree in Japanese literature from Hosei University. Began working as a freelance photographer in 1970. Presented her first solo exhibition ​”Yoko Ono in New York” in 1974 Published her first book of photographs ​“Women come Alive” in 1978. Started in the 1980s with several series of artist portraits living in various countries and principal dancers of major dance companies. She has published 15 books of photography. Her works are in the collection of museums internationally, such as Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, Shanghai Art Museum in China and The National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo. Michiko Matsumoto first met Niki de Saint Phalle in 1981. She was aware of Niki’s work and went to visit her house in the suburbs of Paris. Even since Matsumoto continued to photograph the artist and her works in across Europe. Published ​“Portrait of Niki de Saint Phalle” in 1986. Had several exhibitions on Niki in Japan. At MoMA PS1, they showed her photographs of Niki in 2021 at ​“Niki de Saint Phalle” exhibition. When Matsumoto’s thoughts turned to things she had not yet accomplished, high on her list was seeing The Tarot Garden in its final stage of completion. That desire led her, in part, to the making film on Niki’s monuments and architectural works. She started filming in 2018 and completed the film ​“Viva Niki : The Spirit of Niki de Saint Phalle” in 2024.