The Scott Rinckenberger Gallery in North Bend will debut Yukiguni: Honshu Winter Studies, a fine art photography exhibit showcasing images of high-alpine winter environments, ranging from rugged mountain terrain to the quiet beauty of Japan.
The winter show will open on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. during a special evening event featuring complimentary light appetizers and beverages.
Yukiguni, or snow country, refers to the regions of Japan where Siberian winds cross the Sea of Japan and release some of the heaviest snowfall on earth. Over five winters in the mountains of central Honshu, photographer Scott Rinckenberger created a body of work that explores the delicate graphic qualities that emerge under extreme winter conditions.
The mountains near Hakuba and Myoko present a striking combination of gentle, simple forms in the undulating foothills and the fragile presence of birch and bamboo, contrasted with the rugged high alpine regions and the near-constant storms that bury the landscape in snow and wind.
“These photographs explore the delicate graphicism that emerges from extreme conditions. This is winter as both architect and eraser, where violence becomes sculptor and storms leave behind only the essential. Working in black and white, these images distill the alpine environment to its essential elements—line, texture, negative space—revealing the quiet geometry that remains when excess is stripped away, leaving only a silencing blanket of snow.” – Scott Rinckenberger
The exhibit reflects the gallery’s role as a cultural center in North Bend, featuring a rotating selection of Rinckenberger’s work that highlights the subtle and sublime elements that inspire his life in the mountains and throughout the Snoqualmie Valley.
Scott specializes in photographing pristine and wild places accessible under human power. A lifelong mountain athlete, he creates reductive compositions rooted in a deep admiration for alpine ecosystems. His work has received international awards, appeared in exhibitions around the world, and been featured by brands such as Apple, REI, Outdoor Research, and Patagonia.
Much of Rinckenberger’s photography is created in wilderness environments, and his work is closely connected to conservation. He supports environmental efforts through his commitment to 1% For The Planet and honors the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement. His goal is to inspire people to seek experiences that foster attention, appreciation, and a lasting care for the natural world.
Scott Rinckenberger Gallery
106 W North Bend Way
North Bend, WA
Gallery Hours:
Thurs to Sat 12 to 6
Sun 12 to 5
Or by appointment:
gallery@scottrinck.com
To learn more:
scottrinck.com/blogs/news
Visitors are invited to experience the exhibit in person and explore the work in a setting that reflects the quiet intensity and beauty of the alpine landscapes that inspired it.
