KORO IHARA: made in earth
February 11 – 20, 2020
Commons Gallery, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
UH News: Earthworms inspire award-winning artist's exhibit at UH Mānoa
Events + Programs (events are free and open to the public)
Tuesday, February 11, Commons Gallery
10:00 – 12:00 p.m., Open for class visits
1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Open for class visits
Wednesday, February 12, Commons Gallery
1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Open for class visits
Thursday, February 13, Commons Gallery
1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Open for class visits
Friday, February 14, Commons Gallery
9:00 – 12:00 p.m., Open for class visits
1:00 – 6:00 p.m., Open for class visits
Tuesday, February 18, Commons Gallery
10:00 – 12:00 p.m., Open for class visits
1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Open for class visits
Wednesday, February 19, Commons Gallery
10:00 – 12:00 p.m., Open for class visits
1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Open for class visits
Wednesday, February 19, Art Building, Room 101
6:00 – 7:00 p.m., Public presentation by Koro Ihara, translated by Marisa
The artist will be working during the following hours in the Commons Gallery
(info to be announced).
This exhibition highlights the work of Koro Ihara, grand prize winner of the Tokyo Midtown 2019 annual art and design competition. His large ceramic work for Tokyo Midtown, made in earth, was inspired by earthworms, the holes they create, and their castings.
I always try to discover new value through finding traces of living forms that once existed and by-products created by such living creatures. Considering things like mounds made of earthworm casts or a swallow’s nest as artwork created by bugs and birds, I work with ceramics to recreate them as they are found in the natural environment. I would like to present an opportunity for people to think about the value of the physicality of human beings.
Mr. Ihara’s artwork is on view in the Commons Gallery. He is also working on new art projects in the ceramics studio while he is in residence at the UH Department of Art & Art History.
Bio
Koro Ihara was born Osaka, Japan in 1988. He received a BFA in sculpture from Tama Art University, 2011, and an MFA in sculpture from Tokyo University of the Arts, 2013. In 2017 Mr. Ihara was awarded an overseas research fellowship to Italy from the Pola Foundation.
His recent solo exhibitions include worm in progress, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, Berlin, Germany, 2019, and die-dye-red, Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, Tokyo, 2017. Group exhibitions and projects include Material with time, Tennozu Central Tower Art Hall, Tokyo, 2019; TRASMUTAZIONI, Rome, Galleria d’arte FABER, Rome, 2018; and Contemporary Sculpture by Five Japanese Artists, Serindia Gallery Annex, Bangkok, Thailand, 2017.
Sponsors
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Department of Art & Art History and College of Arts & Humanities; Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i and by the National Endowment for the Arts; Halekulani Hotel – Hospitality Sponsor for the Arts at UH Mānoa; and anonymous donors.
Gallery hours + admission:
Mon. – Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sun. 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed Presidents Day, Feb. 17.
Free admission.
Parking fees may apply during weekdays. Parking is free on Sundays.
Directions
For more information please contact Sharon Tasaka at 808.956.8364 and gallery@hawaii.edu