The Masumi Hayashi Foundation is the exclusive source for authenticated original prints from Dr. Hayashi's estate. We work with private collectors, corporate collections, and advisors to place works in collections that will preserve and share her artistic legacy.
Market Position
Dr. Hayashi's work is held in over 40 major museum collections worldwide, including SFMOMA, LACMA, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the George Eastman House. Her unique panoramic photo collages—documenting Japanese American internment camps, EPA Superfund sites, and abandoned prisons—occupy a singular position in the history of documentary and fine art photography.
As the sole authenticated source for estate works, the Foundation maintains careful stewardship of both availability and pricing to ensure long-term value for collectors.
Understanding the Work
Dr. Hayashi's output includes distinct categories of object with very different characteristics and value. This distinction matters — both for collectors acquiring work and for anyone evaluating secondary market listings.
The Original Collages
Large-format, hand-constructed photo collages. Each is a unique work — not a print, not an edition. Hayashi made several unique constructions from the same photographic source material for a given subject, but each has a different composition and is a distinct physical object. These are what museum collections hold and what the Foundation offers. They are the primary market.
Reproduction Prints
Smaller, mechanically reproduced prints of the finished collages. These are a separate category of object — legitimately lower in value than the original collages, and correctly priced as such. They occasionally appear on the secondary market and are sometimes listed without adequate distinction from the originals.
A Note on Secondary Market Results
Auction results for Hayashi's work on sites like Invaluable frequently reflect either reproduction prints or original collages in compromised condition — works damaged by prolonged UV exposure, water, or improper storage. These results are not representative of condition-appropriate pricing for the primary market. If you are considering a secondary market purchase, contact us before completing any transaction.
Care & Display
Conservation guidance from Barbara Tannenbaum, former Chair of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, Cleveland Museum of Art.
The original collages are constructed from light-sensitive photographic prints mounted on foam core. Both components require careful stewardship:
- ✕ Never expose to direct sunlight. UV damage to photographic prints is irreversible.
- ! Limit bright interior light to a maximum of 6 months of any given year. Rotate to lower-light storage for the remainder.
- ✓ Always use UV-filtering glass or plexiglass when framing or displaying the work.
- ✓ Handle with care. The foam core base is structurally fragile. Support the full surface when moving.
These guidelines are provided with every acquisition. If you own a Hayashi work and have questions about its condition or storage, contact us — we are glad to help.
Available Series
Japanese American Internment Camps
Documentation of all 10 WRA concentration camps where 120,000 were incarcerated during WWII.
View series →EPA Superfund Sites
America's most contaminated landscapes, including Love Canal and nuclear facilities.
View series →Abandoned Prisons
Historic American prisons including Alcatraz, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Ohio facilities.
View series →Sacred Architectures
Buddhist temples, Hindu shrines, and sacred spaces across Asia.
View series →Post-Industrial Landscapes
Steel mills, factories, and industrial ruins of the American Rust Belt.
View series →View All Series
Browse the complete body of work including City Works, War & Military, and Commissions.
Explore gallery →Included with Every Acquisition
Certificate of Authenticity
Signed and numbered by the Foundation, with unique identifier linked to our registry.
Provenance Documentation
Complete ownership history from studio to present, including exhibition records.
Digital Archive
High-resolution digital file and historical documentation for the work.
Authentication Services
The Masumi Hayashi Foundation is the sole authority for authentication of Dr. Hayashi's work. If you are considering a secondary market purchase or have questions about a work's authenticity, please contact us before completing any transaction.
Authentication requests are reviewed within 10 business days. A fee may apply.
Collector Advisory
We welcome conversations with collectors and advisors about building meaningful collections of Dr. Hayashi's work. The Foundation can advise on:
- Thematic collecting strategies across series
- Works with significant exhibition histories
- Pieces with particular art historical importance
- Conservation and display recommendations
- Long-term collection planning
Collector Inquiries
For information about availability, pricing, and acquisition process, please contact us with details about your collecting interests.
All collector inquiries are handled with strict confidentiality.
Direct contact: [email protected]