En Iwamura (b. 1988, Kyoto, Japan) is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Kyoto, Japan, whose practice centers around ceramic sculpture, painting, and drawing. Iwamura’s practice is predominantly concerned with an investigation of the relationships between his work and the physical exhibition space that it inhabits. Moreover, Iwamura is interested in how these relationships influence viewers who occupy the space. When describing the placement and scale of his works, Iwamura often references the Japanese philosophy of “Ma”. Ma alludes to concepts such as a pause in time, an interval, or an emptiness of space. While it is commonly used in reference to physical spatial relationships between objects, Ma does not rely solely on physical components. Rather, the philosophy of Ma is primarily concerned with one’s perception of such space. It is said that individuals constantly measure and interpret different Ma in relation to themselves and other people, places, and objects. Finding the proper, or comfortable, Ma can incite unique emotions and allow for the formation of new connections and relationships within a given moment. Through his site-responsive installations, Iwamura intends to provide viewers with the opportunity to recognize Ma themselves.

Iwamura earned his BFA and MFA from the Kanazawa College of Art and Craft (Kanazawa, Japan), and later earned a second MFA from Clemson University (Clemson, South Carolina). He was awarded residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation (Helena, Montana), The Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute (Jingdezhen, China), and The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (Shigaraki, Japan) among others. He has presented guest lectures at prominent institutions such as Harvard University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. Iwamura’s work has been featured in solo and two-person exhibitions at Ross+Kramer (New York and East Hampton, NY); Gallery Anthony (Chicago, IL); Woaw Gallery (Hong Kong, China); The American Museum of Ceramic Art (Pomona, CA) and Gallery of Contemporary Art (St. Louis, MO).