Satoshi Iwama

Art is means of travel for me. My creativity was awakened at the age of fifteen when I travelled around Japan. Afterwards, I travelled to the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, and Germany etc…. currently, I have been based in Beijing since 2006.
I received Ph.D from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2002 in Tokyo. My international debut exhibition was, "Storing Wind and Securing Water" at Tsurugi International Art Festival in Kanazawa in 1997. Afterwards, I created twelve sculptures of the sundial at Mogami Environmental Arts Festival '97 Landscape Art Contest in Yamagata. They have become landmarks at rural sites. Both demonstrate the effects of human intervention on things.
I began executing landscape projects that connect nature and the art in a dynamic way. It may sound like only for the moment, however, I am intentionally focusing on the mighty truth of the fact of physical metamorphosis itself.


At the age of 24 I was chosen to be a participating artist in the Kyoto International Art Festival. I have been taking a part in Chinese Biennial, Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial and other international exhibitions since then.
I am best known for my clay sculptures and large-scale earthwork projects exploring the exchange between people and the larger universe. My works incorporating KARESANSUI(traditional Japanese landscape garden) and FUSUI(Chinese feng shui) into contemporary art have won me high international acclaim.
I am interested in relationships with the others. For instance, between nature and people, people and people. I have collaborated with architect, dancer, ecologist and various professionals in my earthwork projects.
My recent earthwork seeks new approaches to natural global environment, while I investigate the fundamental issues of a view of nature in collaboration with scientists, psychologist, and folklorist.
We must protect the global environment through international cooperation.


This latest exhibition will feature new pieces that represent a development of the “Storing Wind and Securing Water” series I displayed at the Chinese Biennial in 2008. I also intend to show drawings made using a clay and water. These will take the form of organic shapes inspired by my own imagination rather than borrowed from actual objects.
“I am constantly thinking about situations in which the sense of the sight and the sense of touch are stimulated simultaneously”

Education

2010 Ph.D. Candidate, The Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China


2002 Ph.D., Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


2007 M.F.A. Candidate, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China


1999 M.F.A., Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


1997 B.F.A., Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan

Teaching Affliation

2013 - 2014 AURA Director, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


2010 - 2013 Adjunct Instructor, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


2009 - 2010 Art Researcher in China, Union Foundation, Tokyo, Japan


2006 - 2009 Art Researcher in China, The Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, Tokyo, Japan


2005 - 2006 Part-time Instructor, Waseda Industrial Elementary School, Tokyo, Japan


2005 - 2006 Art Researcher, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


2004 - 2007 Part-time Instructor, Kyoto University of Art and Design, Kyoto, Japan


2002 - 2005 Part-time Instructor, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


2001 - 2005 Part-time Instructor, Takayama Architectural School, Gifu, Japan


2000 - 2002 Research Assistant, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


1999 - 2000 Teaching Assistant, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan

Exhibition

■Selected Solo Exhibitions
2005
"Form of Possibility", Youkobo Gallery Project Exhibition
Curator : Hiroko Murata / Youkobo Gallery, Ogikubo, Tokyo, Japan


2002
"Form of Possibility - RIN", Futaba Gallery Project Exhibition
Curator : Shoko Murase / Futaba Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan


2002
"Form of Possibility - Why were people born on the earth"
Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center Project Exhibition
Curator : Fujiko Iriguchi / Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan


2002
"Form of Possibility - KOKU”
Tokyo University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan


2001
"Form of Possibility - KO/KYU", Futaba Gallery Project Exhibition
Curator : Shoko Murase / Futaba Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan


2001
"Form of Possibility - MOE", Wada Fine Arts(Gallery Iseyoshi) Project Exhibition
Curator : Yumie Wada / Wada Fine Arts(Gallery Iseyoshi), Ginza, Tokyo, Japan


2000
"Form of Possibility − NOBE", Futaba Gallery Project Exhibition
Curator : Shoko Murase / Futaba Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan


2000
"Satoshi Iwama Plan Exhibition", Pepper's Gallery Project Exhibition
Curator : Hiro Shiraishi / Pepper's Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan


■Selected Group Exhibition
2015
"Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial 2015”
Curator : Furamu Kitagawa / Tsubono, Matsunoyama, Niigata, Japan


2015
“ART ICHIHARA 2015”
CCurator : Furamu Kitagawa / Tsukide, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan


2014
“ICHIHARA ART×MIX 2014”
Curator : Furamu Kitagawa / Tsukide, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan




2012
"Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial 2012”
Curator : Furamu Kitagawa / Tsubono, Matsunoyama, Niigata, Japan


2010
”Hi! Sansui”
Curator : Yuna Kanazawa / Korean Cultural Center, Beijing, China


2010
"“Warm Winter”—the Art Exchange Program Touring in 20 Art Zones
Curator : Zhang Wei / Zheng Yang Creative Art Zone, Beijing, China


2009
"Time Zone 0”
Curator : Luo Cai / C-Space, Beijing, China


2009
"Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial 2009”
Curator : Furamu Kitagawa / Tsubono, Matsunoyama, Niigata, Japan


2008
"China, Korea, Japan Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition”
Curator : Wang Peibo, Lin Shenghuang / Academy of Arts & Desing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China


2008
“ZEROZERO”
Curator : Jiang Jie / The Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China


2008
"CHINESE BIENNALE 2008 in BEIJING”
Curator : Pan Xing Lei, Koan Jeff Baysa, Li Shi / KU ART CENTER, Beijing, China


2005
"wanakio 2005”
Curator : Jyun Miyagi, Titus Spree, Emiko Kato / Maejima Art Center, Okinawa, Japan



2005
"WANGSANG - KAITEN Arts Festival”
Curator : Okyung Choi, Shinjung Park / Haslla Art World, Gangneung, Korea


2005
"Voices of Site New York-Tokyo”
Curator : ON(megumi) Akiyoshi / Visual Arts Gallery, Chelsea, N.Y.


2005
"Making School Books from Art”
IKEJIRI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan


2005
"Nishiogi Macchi Media Festival 2005”
Curator : Hiroko Murata / Youkobo Gallery, Ogikubo, Tokyo, Japan



2004
"Kuimaru Art Project”
Curator : Masao Yamaguchii / Kuimaru Study Center, Shouwamura, Fukushima, Japan


2004
"Voice of Site Tokyo-Chicago-New York”
Curator : Toyomi Hoshina
Tokyo University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan
Sakamoto Former Sakamoto Elementary School, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan


2003
"Green Space 2 licht/schatten”
Curator : Yoshiaki Watanabe / Hause am Holrn, Weimar,Germany


2003
"ARTOY exhibition”
Curator : ON(megumi) Akiyoshi / Gallery Mouri, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan


2002
"Green Space”
Curator : Babara Nemitz / Tokyo University of the Arts(Toride Campus), Ibaraki, Toride, Japan


2002
"Fukazawa Art Project”
Curator : Rie Miura / Metropolitan Komazawa Olimpic Park, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan


2002
"News 25”
Tokyo University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan



2002
"Q Peers NY & JAPAN”
Curator : Rie Miura / ALBATROSS Gallery, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan


2002
"Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Ph.D. Completion Exhibition”
Tokyo University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan


2000
"The 5th WANGSANG - KAITEN Arts Festival”, Artist in Residence
Curator : Okyung Choi, Shinjung Park / Wangsan Art Center, Wangsan, Korea



2000
"The 5th Contest for the Best Contemporary Art Work 2001”
Curator : Tomohiri Nishimura / Shinkiba SOKO Gallery, Shinkiba, Tokyo, Japan 


1999
"RE CYCLING ART PROJECT IN TORIDE”
Curator : Yoshiaki Watanabe / Tonegawa river bottoms, Toride, Ibaraki, Japan


1999
"Kyoto Arts Festival 1999”
Curator : Minoru Otagaki / Chishaku temple, Higashiyama, Kyoto, Japan



1999
"Tokyo University of the Arts, Master’s Completion Exhibition”
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan



1999
"Tokyo University of the Arts, Private Viewing of Completion Works”
Tokyo University of The Arts(Toride Campus), Toride, Ibaraki, Japan



1999
"Psychological Exhibition”, Pepper's Gallery Project Exhibition
Curator : Hiro Shiraishi / Pepper's Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan



1998
"O ZERO Exhibition”, The Nomura Cultural Foundation Project Exhibition
Yokohama Galleria Bellini Hill Gallery, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan


1997
"Creation Exhibition 97”
Tokyo University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts(Toride Campus),Ibaraki, Toride, Japan



1997
"Mogami Environmental Arts Festival 97, Landscape Art Contest”
The Shounai Plains, Shinjyo, Yamagata, Japan



1997
"Arts Festival in Tsurugi 97”
Hakusan Temple, Tsurugi, Ishikawa, Japan



1997
"Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate Exhibition”
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan


1997-
"Tsubono Field Park Project”
Tsubono, Matsunoyama, Niigata, Japan

Project

2013-

“SOSOGI PROJECT” / Sosogi, Kitakata, Fukushima


2013-

“ARS TSUKIDE PROJECT” / Tsukide, Ichihara, Chiba


2012-
“OAM PROJECT”(ONOMICHI AIR MUSEUM) / Onomichi, Hiroshima




2011-
“TAKASU Art Project“ / Takasu, Toride, Ibaraki


2011-2014
“YUINOHAMA Project“ / Momonoura, Ishinomaki, Miyagi


2011-2013
“URATEI Art Project” / Kanda, Tokyo, Japan


2010-
"asia 341 art project” / Korea Art Center, Beijing, China


2005-
"Haslla Art World R-Project” / Haslla Art World, Gangneung, Korea


2005
"Wangsan R-Project” / Art Center, Wangsan, Korea


2002
"Play Park Project", Agency for Cultural Affairs Project / Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan


2001-2005
"Hida Takayama Project” / Takayama Architectural School, Takayama, Gifu, Japan


2000
"Tateshina Project 2000” / Tateshina Culture Center, Tateshina, Nagano, Japan

Contemporary Dance

2014
"Contemporary Dance - YOHORO"
Satoshi Iwama as artist collaborating in dance piece choreographed and performance by Matsubara Toyo and KARASHIZUKA, SEPUKU, etc


2012
"Contemporary Dance - TANIGUKU"
Satoshi Iwama as artist collaborating in dance piece choreographed and performance by Matsubara Toyo and KARASHIZUKA.


2011
"Contemporary Dance - MUSUBI"
Satoshi Iwama as artist collaborating in dance piece choreographed and performance by Matsubara Toyo and KARASHIZUKA.


2011
WASHOI YOISHO"
Group Street Performance by KARASHIZUKA. (sound & dance),


2006
"Contemporary Performance - FUNE"
Satoshi Iwama as artist collaborating in dance piece choreographed and performance by inuit,
Akagi Temple, Tokyo, Japan


2005
"wanakio 2005"
Group Street Performance by Mame Mame Chindon. (sound & dance),
Maejima Art Center, Okinawa, Japan


2005
"Physical Performance"
Work combining a stage designed by Satoshi Iwama with physical performance by Hiroyo Kitao,
Youkobo Gallery, Ogikubo, Tokyo, Japan


2002
"HOURAI Festival"
Group Street Performance by Mame Mame Chindon (sound & dance),
Tsurugi, Ishikawa, Japan


2002
"Form of Possibility - Why were people born on the earth?"
Dance & Live Painting Performance by Satoshi Iwama, Yayoi Sangatsu and Akari Uno,
Exhibition opening and closing events, Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan


2002
"Globe"
Work combining a stage designed by Satoshi Iwama with physical performance by Murakami Sangatsu,
Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan


2002
"Street Dance Performance"
Work combining a stage designed by Satoshi Iwama with physical performance by Mame Mame Chindon (sound & dance),
Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, 2002

Architect

2014 “ARS TSUKIDE”, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan
    Desing & Supervision : Satoshi Iwama


2014 “TAKASU HOUSE“, Toride, Ibaraki
    Desing & Supervision : Satoshi Iwama


2012 “URATEI“, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
    Desing & Supervision : Satoshi Iwama


2012〜“Tsubono Godown”, Matsunoyama, Tokamachi, Niigata, Japan
    Desing & Supervision : Satoshi Iwama


2008 “Studio Zheng Yang“, Beijing, China
    Desing & Supervision : Satoshi Iwama


1997〜“Tsubono House“, Matsunoyama, Tokamachi, Niigata, Japan
    Desing & Supervision : Satoshi Iwama

Award, Grant, Priz

2010 "Asahi Shimbun Cultural Foundation Prize",
    Asahi Shimbun Cultural Foundation, Tokyo, Japan


2010 "Yoshino Gypsum Art Foundation Prize",
    Yoshino Gypsum Art Foundation, Tokyo, Japan


2009 "Union Foundation for Ergodesign Culture Prize", Union Foundation, Tokyo, Japan


2009 "Asahi Shimbun Cultural Foundation Prize",
    Asahi Shimbun Cultural Foundation, Tokyo, Japan


2008 "The Chinese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists in China"


2006 "The Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists in China"


2000 "Encouragement Prize" & "Gallery Iseyoshi Prize",
    The 5th Contest for the Best Contemporary Art Work 2001, Tokyo, Japan


1999 "Kyoto Arts Festival 1999 Prize", Kyoto Art Festival, Kyoto, Japan


1999 "Takahashi Art Prize", Takahashi Art Foundation, Tokyo, Japan


1998 "The Nomura Cultural Foundation Prize",
    The Nomura Cultural Foundation, Kanagawa, Japan


1997 "Mogami Environmental Arts Festival 97 Landscape Art Contest Grand Prize",
    Mogami Environmental Arts Festival, Yamagata, Japan


1997 "Arts Festival in Tsurugi 97 Prize", Art Festival Tsurugi, Ishikawa, Japan


1997 "Mr.O Museum Prize", Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan


1994 "Kume Keiichiro Museum Prize", Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan

Collection

2013 INTERCONTINENTAL OSAKA, Osaka, Japan


2013 Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai, Shanghai, China


2012 Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, Shanghai, China


2010 GUANGZHOU UNIVERSITY, Guangzhou, China


2010 China Resources Land, Shenyang, China


2008 Shanghai World Financial Center(MORI Bulding), Shanghai, China


2008 KU ART CENTER, Beijing, China


2005 Haslla Art World, Gangneung, Korea


2002 Kanazawa Citizen's Art Center, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan


2000 Wangsan Art Center, Wangsan, Korea


1999 Takara Industries Co.,Ltd, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan