Johnny Le is a fine art photographer and multimedia artist based in Los Angeles. His work captures fleeting moments between people, places, and time through a diaristic lens. He also co-runs tho’m, a Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, with his brother, Jimmy. Blending photography, curation, and cultural programming, Johnny explores storytelling across art, food, and immersive experiences.
Which three books would you recommend?
The Modern LifeCharlotte Perriand
Although I didn’t have the chance to attend Charlotte Perriand’s retrospective at the Design Museum in 2021, I’ve grown to appreciate her work. This book sits in my studio, and I often return to it when thinking about space. Charlotte forged her path in the 20th century with an enduring, adventurous spirit of collaboration while maintaining a distinct approach. I recommend this book to anyone curious about design and the concept of belonging, as it offers a deeper understanding of space, objects, and functionality.
In Praise of ShadowsJun'ichirō Tanizaki
I’d recommend this book to artists, designers, architects, and writers who appreciate the subtle interplay of light, space, and atmosphere. It’s invaluable for those who navigate spaces and want to deepen their sensibility—physically or metaphorically—by shaping or experiencing them with greater awareness.
Looking BackTamiko Nishimura
Tamiko Nishimura is a photographer from Tokyo, Japan. Her photobook Looking Back compiles images from her formative years as a student in 1968 through her travels across Japan in the 1970s, capturing everyday life with a deeply personal and evocative lens. Her work reflects an intimate, poetic perspective on fleeting moments and the quiet beauty of the ordinary.
What is your favourite bookstore or library?
Los Angeles Public Library.