Elizabeth Sanjuan
Silent Snow
The distinct spirituality of Hokkaido is palpable. Evidence of order and planning is seen on the rolling hills and fields. The frozen dormant landscape will give way to crops and livestock by spring, but during the long winter season, the island rests under downy blankets of snow and ice. There is a peacefulness in the winter that returns to the island. The bustling farms are still, and the throngs of tourists have departed. Winter shows us the resilience of trees, the hardy determination of the wildlife, and the stoic resolve of its people. Through one of the harshest winter seasons on our planet, the island retains its calm demeanor. My mind returns often to the quiet, serene, majestic stillness of this magical land.
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Biography
Elizabeth Sanjuan is a first-generation Cuban American and an avid world traveler. She has been photographing for over 30 years, during which time she has exhibited and sold her work at galleries in ten states and two countries. She has been an art gallery owner, and avid art collector, and is director of the International Photographic Hall of Fame. Elizabeth is a champion for women’s rights and environmental issues, and regularly takes on those who would infringe on the integrity and beauty of the natural world. She is currently focused on three major projects: Recuerdos de mi Abuela which explores the culture, heritage and influence of her strong maternal grandmother in shaping the woman she is today; Small: Journeys to Places Left Behind, an in-depth look at the rise and fall of small-town America; and Silent Snow, a chronicle of multiple visits to Japan’s northernmost island in search of the secret to the peace, beauty, strength and resilience of one of the harshest winter environments on the planet.