Toshihiko Iwata

Born in Kamaukura City, Kanagawa. Iwata graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts (B.A. in Lacquer Art). He has been participating in various solo/group exhibition at contemporary art galleries and spaces such as Radi-um von Roentgenwerke AG, POLA Annex Museum, and Aoyama Spiral Hall (‘SIFC’) as well as at museums in Fukushima and in Kitakata City. He has also been designing labels for sake. His works are included in the private collection at POLA, Mont Blanc and Sato Museum(Tokyo).

Statement
I have been working with lacquer, a technique historically applied to produce items for daily use in Japan, to create artwork using traditional methods.
A series of my work featuring a contemporary take on the classic Japanese motifs such as patterns from nature and samurai family crests have been exhibited not only in traditional venues (i.e. temples and shrines) but also in contemporary museums and art galleries.

Official site