Shiro Masuyama

I've studied architecture until master degree level and my art projects therefore have been influenced by this and mainly manifest as site-specific interventions like architectures. Using my architectural background I make projects fundamentally to relate with people and society, so-called socially engaged art. I view interaction with people often brings the unexpected results. It's one of the most important process and component in completing an artwork.

Over the last 17 years I have developed my professional practice through participating in a diverse range of artist residencies worldwide including Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown (2014-2015)  ; MMCA - National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea, The National Art Studio Goyang, Korea (2008) ; IMMA - Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland (2006) ; Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin, Germany (2004-2005) and ISCP - International Studio and Curatorial Programme, New York, USA (2002-2003). I am driven by a fascination and desire to develop art works in relation to how I can survive, communicate and make art outside Japan. Having settled in Belfast, Northern Ireland my practice has become far more exposed to Irish / Northern Irish culture and society as well as political conflict between them. As a result, my practice has become more performative and political in their responses due my need to understand my physical living environment.

Biography

I was born in Tokyo in 1971. I lived in Berlin, Germany from 2004 for 6 Years. Since 2010 I've been based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Since 2013 I've become a studio holder and board director of Flax Art Studios, Belfast. I hold a Masters in Architecture from Meiji University, Japan. I’ve had numerous solo exhibitions world wide including ‘Self-Sufficient Life’, Kyoto-ba, Kyoto, Japan (2019); ‘Attracting My Neighbors’, Chiang Rai Art Museum, Thailand (2017) ; ‘Self-Sufficient Life’, Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown (2015) & Fotoaura Institute of Photography, Tainan, Taiwan (2015) ; “Intervention”, Water and Sculpture Hills Ichiara Museum, Chiba, Japan (2010). Numerous group exhibitions include ‘Noise of Silence : Japanese Art Now’, Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast (2019) ; ‘Wandering Seeds’, National Museum of Prehistory, Tatung, Taiwan (2018) ; ‘Collective Histories of Northern Irish Art’, Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast (2015) ; ‘Aichi Triennale 2013’, Nagoya, Japan (2013). I have completed public art commissions ‘Five Apples’, Ballymena (2015). I have received numerous awards including Grand Prix (Grand Prize) , The 7th 500m Museum Award, Sapporo, Japan (2019) ; Long term fellowship, Japan Foundation Asia Center, Japan (2017-2018) ; ACES Awards, Arts Council of Northern Ireland (2016) ; Individual Artist's Award, Derry-Londonderry City of Culture (2013) ; The Pollock-Krasner Foundation, New York, USA (2009) ; Japanese Government Oversea Program for Artists, Japan (2004-2005) ; Pola Art Foundation, Japan (2002- 2003).

 shiromasuyama@me.com

shiromasuyama.net
borderlineshiromasuyama.blogspot.com
5applesproject.blogspot.com
southeastasianresidencies.blogspot.com