The
Sixteen
Photography
Collection

A A private collection bridging the gap between established masters and emerging talents.
Shelby Lee Adams
TSPC—001 Growing up in the Appalachian region of Kentucky in 1950, Shelby Lee Adams witnessed firsthand the realities behind the often-caricatured portrayals of the area's poverty. While studying at the Cleveland Institute of Art, his discovery of the Farm Security Administration's archives on the Great Depression sparked a pivotal idea. Alongside his magazine assignments and university teaching, Adams embarked on a dedicated project to document the lives of rural families within his own community.
Lila and the Goose, 2008. 27x35.5cm.
Chromogenic Print on Baryta. Edition 6/25
Louverna’s Funeral with Brothers, 2008. 27x35.5cm
Chromogenic Print on Baryta. Edition 2/25
Tatsuo Suzuki
TSPC—002 Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1965, Suzuki crafts profoundly expressive, atmospheric, and utterly captivating 'street' photographs. These stygian renderings bear the unmistakable imprint of a Japanese sensibility, echoing the distinct visual language forged by the legendary Daido Moriyama and his fellow Provoke movement members in the late 1960s and 70s
Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Tokyo, 2014. 50x70cm
Digital Archival Inkjet. Edition 1/5
Night Road, Shibuya, Tokyo, 2018. 50x70cm
Digital Archival Inkjet. Edition 1/5
A girl at theater ticket counter, Shibuya, Tokyo, 2013.
84.1x59.4cm. Digital Archival Inkjet. Edition 1/5
Erinn Springer
TSPC—003 Hailing from Dunn County, Wisconsin, Erinn Springer's art delves into the interconnected realms of memory and mortality. Through her lens, she examines the intricate relationships woven between people, the natural world, the power of imagination, and the tangible aspects of reality. Though based in Duluth, Minnesota, Springer frequently finds herself in New York City, New York.
Tony and Luana, 2022. 50.8×63.5cm
Archival Pigment. Edition 1/7
Mike Brodie
TSPC—004 Fueled by a serendipitous gift of a Polaroid camera in 2004, Mike Brodie (born in 1985) embarked on a four-year odyssey across the United States. Under the alias 'The Polaroid Kidd,' he compulsively documented his encounters with the raw and restless world of transient subcultures. Unburdened by concerns about the future life of his images, Brodie built an extraordinary archive, now recognized as a genuine and rare collection within the landscape of American travel photography.
Dillon, Oakland, California, 2012. #1
8.8×10.7cm. Time-Zero Polaroid. Unique Work.
Dillon, Oakland, California, 2012. #2
8.8×10.7cm. Time-Zero Polaroid. Unique Work.
Dillon, Oakland, California, 2012. #3
8.8×10.7cm. Time-Zero Polaroid. Unique Work.
Tealia Ellis Ritter
TSPC—005 American artist Tealia Ellis Ritter, born in 1978, crafts work that grapples with the multifaceted roles of the photograph. She explores its significance as a personal record, a familial milestone marking the passage of time, and a tangible object with a physical presence. Ritter's artistic interests lie in dissecting the intricate dynamic between photographer and subject, the evolving nature of intimacy, and photography's influence on identity, performance, and the construction of archives.
Crystal with gray card, 2018/2000. 40x50cm
Gelatin Silver Print. Artist Proof.
Caleb Stein
TSPC—006 British multimedia artist Caleb Stein, born in 1994 and living in the U.S., has garnered international recognition for his work, which has been exhibited across the globe. His pieces are held in numerous prestigious public and private collections, including The J. Paul Getty Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center and The New York State Museum.
Sam Gregg
TSPC—007 Born in London in 1990, Sam Gregg is a self-taught portrait and documentary photographer. His work centers on marginalized and dispossessed communities, positioning him as both an involved participant and a detached observer. Immersing himself in complex environments, Gregg follows narratives that ultimately mirror aspects of his own culture.
Nobuyoshi Araki
TSPC—008 Tokyo-born (1940), photographer Nobuyoshi Araki began his career after early success (1964/65). His marriage to Yoko Aoki (Dentsu) led to Sentimental Journey before his 1972 departure. Co-founder of the Photo Workshop School (1974), Araki is known for erotic nudes, kinbaku, and Tokyo life ("I-photography"). He achieved international acclaim (Europe/America exhibitions, 1997 Tokyo retrospective) and his award-winning work is in major collections.
Pola Eros, 2006-2009. 8.8×10.8cm
Polaroid. Unique Work.
Anthony Blasko
TSPC—009 Photographer Anthony Blasko, born in Ohio, USA in 1975, explores the human condition through intimate, everyday moments, often developed through long-term immersion within communities. His early work focused on his family, leading to projects like his documentation of Kosovo's gymnastics federation and the American South.
Jack Davison
TSPC—010 Jack Davison (born in the UK in 1990) is a London-based portrait and documentary photographer. Since the age of 14, he has experimented with cameras and continuously photographed those around him. Davison's self-taught style often features strong contrasts and a painterly quality, exploring both surreal and sensual elements within everyday life. His work has been featured in publications like The New York Times and British Vogue, and he has published several books, including "Photographs" (2019) and "Florida Strawberries" (2023).
Amhurst Road, Hackney, 2015. 50x40cm
Digital Archival. Edition 1/1
Roe Ethridge
TSPC—011 Roe Ethridge (b. 1969, Miami) is a photographer whose postmodern work blends commercial and fine art, often recontextualizing existing images. His work has been featured in the Whitney Biennial and MoMA's "New Photography" and is held in major collections.
Katsu Naito
TSPC—012 Born in Japan in 1964, Katsu Naito is a New York-based photographer known for his intimate street photography. After moving to New York and working as a chef, he began documenting the city's people and communities. His notable series include "West Side Rendezvous," capturing trans sex workers in the early 90s, and "Once in Harlem," documenting Harlem in the late 80s and early 90s.
Egypt on 16th Street, 1992. 38.1x48.3cm
Selenium Toned Gelation Silver Print. Edition ?/?
Mark Mahaney
TSPC—013 Mark Mahaney is an American photographer known for his evocative and often melancholic imagery of the American landscape and its inhabitants. His projects frequently explore themes of isolation, transition, and the quiet beauty found in overlooked places. Mahaney often employs a large-format camera, lending a sense of detail and stillness to his photographs. His work has been exhibited internationally and published in several books.
Keizo Kitajima
TSPC—014 Keizo Kitajima (born 1954) is a significant Japanese photographer known for his experimental and confrontational style. A key figure in the "Provoke" movement, his early work featured raw, grainy black and white images of urban life. He later transitioned to large-format color, meticulously documenting cityscapes and people in places like New York and Tokyo. His photobooks, including "Untitled 1-31" and "New York," are highly regarded.
Untitled from New York, 1981, 1982. 30x20cm.
Digital Archival. Edition 5/5
Maxime Imbert
TSPC—015 Maxime Imbert is a Paris-based French photographer whose portraiture captures a distinct sense of stillness and intimacy. While also exploring urban landscapes, his portraits often feature individuals within their environments, emphasizing subtle expressions and the interplay of light to reveal character. Imbert's approach often has a minimalist quality, focusing on the essential connection between photographer and subject. His portrait work has been featured in various exhibitions and publications, showcasing a refined and thoughtful approach to capturing the human form.
Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-Nti
TSPC—016 Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-Nti is a Ghanaian photographer whose work explores themes of identity, culture, and the everyday experiences of people in Ghana and beyond. His photography often features vibrant colors and a documentary style, capturing the nuances of social interactions and the evolving landscapes of his home country. Appiah-Nti's images offer a contemporary perspective on Ghanaian life, moving beyond stereotypical representations. His work has been exhibited internationally, providing a window into the richness and complexity of the region.
Busua beach surfers, 2019. 50.8x63.5cm
Fine Art Print on Canson Baryta. Edition 2/5
Keizo Motoda
TSPC—017 Keizo Motoda (born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971) is a photographer known for his street photography, often capturing unique individuals he encounters in urban environments. His career began in 1996 with a newspaper column called "ON THE STREET" for the Osaka Shimbun, where he paired photographs with text about the people he met. This series established his characteristic style of capturing striking individuals with a strong sense of character. Motoda often develops ongoing relationships with his subjects, photographing them repeatedly over time.
Jimmy — Sunday Harajuku, 2012. 25.2×20.3cm
Chromogenic Print. Edition 2/5
Cécile Smetana
TSPC—018 Cécile Smetana Baudier is a French photographer whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and the intimate spaces of domestic life. Often working in color, her photographs possess a quiet and contemplative atmosphere, focusing on subtle details and the emotional resonance of everyday objects and environments. Smetana Baudier frequently turns her lens towards her own family and personal experiences, creating images that feel both personal and universally relatable. Her work has been exhibited in France and internationally.
Misha Taylor
TSPC—019 Misha Taylor is a photographer whose work explores themes of identity, community, and belonging, often focusing on underrepresented voices and experiences. His approach blends documentary and portraiture, creating intimate and empathetic portrayals of her subjects within their environments. Taylor's images often possess a strong sense of place and a sensitivity to the nuances of human connection. His work has been featured in various publications and exhibitions, contributing to broader conversations about representation and social justice.
Joburg, South Africa, 2013. 50×40cm
Edition 3/10
Julius Shulman
TSPC—020 Julius Shulman (1910-2009) was a highly influential American architectural photographer, famous for his iconic images of mid-century modern architecture, especially in Southern California. His sharp, dramatic photographs not only documented buildings but also captured the lifestyle they represented, shaping the visual understanding of modernism. He remains a key figure in architectural photography.
Joe Lai
TSPC—021 French photographer Joe Lai, born in 1977, is recognized for his portrait and body-focused work. His style often draws inspiration from Japanese cinema, particularly 1960s-1980s horror and Pinku films, creating cinematic and often fictional scenes. He has published photobooks including "Showa," "Big Hair," and "Pinku."

The Collection will be exhibited for the first time during Paris Photo 2025 — More information soon

OUR MISSION

Established by Sixteen World, and curated by Xavier Encinas, The Sixteen Photography Collection aim to constitute an Art Collection reflecting the history of contemporary photography. We believe that by curating a diverse collection of works—ranging from the classic to the contemporary—we can foster an environment that encourages dialogue and exploration.

In envisioning this collection, our goal is to create a space where the power of photography can be fully appreciated, and where artists can connect, collaborate, and flourish. We will work directly with artists to acquire their work, as well as with galleries, private collectors, and photography experts.


IN THE COLLECTION

Jack Davison
Nobuyoshi Araki
Keizo Kitajima
Julius Shulman
Keizo Motoda
Erinn Springer
Tealia Ellis Ritter
Shelby Lee Adams
Roe Ethridge
Katsu Naito
Mark Mahaney
Sam Gregg
Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-Nti
Tatsuo Suzuki
Tom Johnson
Misha Taylor
Cécile Smetana
Maxime Imbert
Caled Stein
Joe Lai SUBMISSIONS

We are actively seeking contributions to our collection and we are eager to hear from photographers who wish to share their work.

Follow the instruction below to submit your work. Each submission will be carefully consider before entering the collection. 

  1. Name, date and size.
  2. Edition
  3. Printing technique
  4. Share any relevant context and back story regarding the work.
  5. Send all the information in on PDF
  6. Use this link to submit

THE SIXTEEN PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER

Our goal is to open a center for photography to the public before 2046. This space will encapsulate all Sixteen World’s all endeavors such as magazine and book publishing, exhibition gallery, Sixteen Film Institute, café, and more...

In envisioning this collection, our goal is to create a space where the power of photography can be fully appreciated, and where artists can connect, collaborate, and flourish. We will work directly with artists to acquire their work, as well as with galleries, private collectors, and photography experts.


PROJECT TIMELINE

2025 Beyond
COLLECTING
        The first five years of this project, we will be dedicated to actively work on building The Collection. We will engage in conversation with artists and photography experts to acquire a precisely curated body of work. Each year, we plan on exhibiting the work we have acquired so far to give the public access to these artworks and witness the evolution of The Collection.

2031 2036
FUNDING
       During this phase will seek funding both from the public and private sector in order to plan our next phase. This will be a critical phase to build long-term relationships with our patrons. 

2037 2046
BUILDING
       When our financial goal is met, we will start building The Sixteen World Photography Collection's physical space. This location will serve not only as an exhibition space but also as a hub for education, mentorship, and community engagement.

2046 Beyond
SHARING
       We envision hosting workshops, panel discussions, and exhibitions that bridge the gap between generations of photographers, fostering collaboration and creative growth. By providing resources and support to emerging talent, we can ensure that the future of photography remains vibrant and diverse. 
The Sixteen Photography Collection is part of Sixteen World, an independent platform and bi-annual magazine dedicated to photography.