Ben Huang

Shoreline Topography investigates the newly constructed seawall along the northeastern coast of Japan, over a decade after the catastrophic 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. This initiative reintroduced and retrofitted seawalls as a coastal defense strategy against potential future tsunamis. Upon completion, concrete barriers averaging 12 to 14 meters in height will extend nearly 420 km along the coastline, with a substantial investment of USD 12 billion, significantly transforming both the landscape and the daily lives of local residents.

This body of work explores the impact of these artificially formed shorelines on the surrounding environment. It captures the evolving relationship between the coastal ecosystem and these imposing structures, while also critically examining their effectiveness in mitigating the risks of future natural disasters amid the challenges posed by climate change.


Pengkuei Ben Huang is a Toronto-based Taiwanese-Canadian photographer. Born to a Chinese-Indonesian father and a second-generation Taiwanese mother, Ben migrated through many places before settling in Canada in 2005. His interest in photography began while studying in the United States in 2001, and in 2004, he earned his BFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Since then, he has undertaken numerous long-form, lens-based projects examining anthropological activities, cultural identity, and rapidly changing social landscapes. His work has been recognized internationally, including being named a finalist for the Magnum Workshop Prize in Toronto and receiving an honorable mention at the 2024 Burtynsky Grant for his series on recovery from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

He is the founder of Hyoryusha Books, an online bookstore dedicated to introducing lesser-known photobooks from Japan and Taiwan to Canada.

Contact the artist directly for information on purchasing.

Contact: pkh@benhuangphotos.com
Website: https://www.benhuangphotos.com/
IG:@benhuang.photography

May 6th to May 17th, 2026
918 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Sun and Star Rooms

Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12pm to 5pm
Opening reception: Thursday May 7th from 6-9pm
Artist talk: Saturday, May 9th from 1-3pm