In the voluptuous ceramics of En Iwamura, sweeping lines of clay frame minuscule eyes and noses that just barely emerge from the earthen material. The artist is based in the iconic pottery town of Shigaraki in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture and is known for his expressive yet abstract sculptures. Evoking playful depictions of masks and busts, the works are often vibrant in color, featuring bold gradients or two-toned combinations.

Iwamura has long drawn on the concept of Ma, or “間,” which translates to gap or pause. In the artist’s practice, the idea appears both conceptually and holistically. He’s interested in the ways we measure and understand the spaces between ourselves and others and how those conceptions appear in our expressions. Viewers can explore the gaps between themselves and individual works or consider how groups of characters interact, each time negotiating a dynamic emotional terrain.

Find more from Iwamura and peek into his studio on Instagram.

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