Ephemere Photobook Grant 2026 Winner

FLOWER under ether was awarded the inaugural Ephemere Photobook Grant 2026and is scheduled to be published by Ephemere Tokyo in October 2026.

9 July 2026

Selected from more than 300 international submissions and a shortlist of ten titles, FLOWER under ether was announced as the inaugural winner of the Ephemere Photobook Grant.

Ephemere described the work as a deeply affecting exploration of involuntary childlessness, grief, absence and transcendent love.

The project is now moving through a collaborative production process toward a fully funded, Japan-produced edition, planned to launch during Ephemere Photo Fest 2026 at Three Space Tokyo, Asakusabashi, from 17–27 October 2026.

Read the full announcement from Ephemere Tokyo.

FLOWER under ether

Developed during a year of study in the 2025 Longterm Photobook Program, hosted by Penumbra Foundation, New York City.

A deeply personal story of sadness, resilience and true beauty, FLOWER under ether grew from my ongoing project, Your child, MY child, EVERYONE’S child. It speaks of the saving force of love, redemption and hope.

We learned together to live in the presence of absence, and something beautiful emerged between us. Grief became a gift that, by sharing our story, reveals a transcendent love hovering just above the darkness that constantly pools beneath us.

FLOWER under ether was produced as an artist edition of 20 copies. This edition formed the completed photobook dummy submitted to the Ephemere Photobook Grant 2026.

Edition: 20 copies
Pages: 124
Dimensions: 17 × 23 cm
Cover: Softcover
Binding: Section sewn

Recipient of the Ephemere Photobook Grant 2026. A new Japan-produced edition is currently being developed in collaboration with Ephemere Tokyo for publication in October 2026.