Philippe Valery grew up surrounded by old Asian artworks, especially from Japan, and in an environment full of interaction with its people, inevitably came to love the Orient and admire Japan. His interest sparked a desire for a more detailed world view; one he strove to meet by making multiple trips as a businessman to Japan, Asia and South America in various guises. For young Valery, the cultures and lands far removed from his own appeared increasingly stimulating and dazzling. His subsequent stable life in Paris, which lasted some time, sparked further wanderlust and in 1998, he set out on a journey as part of a tremendous plan to traverse the entire Silk Road, from West to East, on foot.
In this photo exhibition, view the record of Valery’s journey, traversing 16 countries on foot over about 2 years, and what he saw and captured in each area, as well as a number of different scenes encountered and saved on film in Japan, the country which originally sparked the quest, his gateway to the world, and home for a decade or so. There, experience the full extent of Valery’s passion as he kept walking, “in the hope of meeting people observing ethnic costumes, ancient dietary habits and traditions passed down from ancestors”.
