Kendric Tonn Receives Fellowship to Document Japan’s Hidden Landscapes

Tonn rejects the convenience of studio photography, choosing instead to paint directly from life. His process draws heavily on traditional Japanese techniques, a discipline refined through his background in oil painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Florence Academy of Art. Since beginning the project in 2020, he has produced dozens of works and two self-published books that have reached collectors in over 20 countries.

The fellowship grant provides the necessary capital for Tonn to return to Japan for a final intensive painting cycle. Over the next 12 months, he intends to release a third volume and debut his first public exhibition. Jim O'Shaughnessy, founder of the investment firm backing the project, noted that Tonn is documenting a version of the country that remains largely invisible to outsiders. The O'Shaughnessy Fellowships, launched in 2023, provide up to $100,000 in support for creative projects, with Tonn marking the fourteenth recipient selected in 2026.