Neo-Jomon: Figure
Main Gallery Area Artist
Neo-Jomon: Mountain
Neo-Jomon: Child
Neo-Jomon: Face
Artist Information
En Iwamura
1988 Born in Kyoto
2013 Kanazawa Collage of Art and Craft, MFA in Craft. 2016 Clemson University, MFA
2018 “Fahrenheit 2018” American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) (CA,U.S.A.)
2018 “Carrie Furnace NCECA Invitational” River of Steel national historic site (PA,U.S.A.)
2018 “Art Miami” One Herald Plaza (FL,U.S.A.)
2018 “CCACA invitational”John Natsoulas Gallery (CA,U.S.A.)
2018 “En Iwamura-New ceramics” Ross+Kramer Gallery, East Hampton (New york,U.S.A.)
My work investigates how I can influence and alter the experience of viewers who occupy space with my artworks. I have been working on coil built ceramic sculptures, and its inspiration of form, color, and subjects come from both American and Japanese historical and pop cultures, which surround my life. Through my investigation, I try to understand and process the atmosphere of the world in which I exist, with using little flares of humorous expression.
Selector
Chief curator of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
[Comment by Selector]
Iwamura returned to Japan this year after studying and serving as an assistant at Clemson University (South Carolina, USA). She is basing herself out of Japan. In ceramic arts, one shapes clay that hardens after being fired in a kiln. Since the clay’s characteristics differ depending on the area it was taken from, ceramic art is almost always described in connection with the characteristics of such areas. However, Iwamura’s works have a fusion-like nature, in a good way. They are unconcerned with the details, seem to have indifferent expressions, and overall have a considerable feeling of weight. They clearly depart from so-called traditional Japanese craftworks that compete over technique. Not reducing her easygoing-ness and boldness cultivated in the United States, she adopts an approach entirely free from preconceived rules. If she continues to energetically engage in ceramic art, she will probably become a promising presence as an artist.