En Iwamura, born and raised near Kyoto, is among the most original artists of his generation, having developed a highly personal approach to the creation of ceramic sculptures, influenced by a deep interest in Japanese cultural history, on the one hand, and contemporary pop culture, on the other, as well as by numerous trips abroad and the personal experience of fatherhood. Sophisticated, imbued with a sense of elegance that comes naturally from quality Japanese craftsmanship, and invariably intelligent and humorous, Iwamura's works rethink and reinvigorate the long and influential tradition of ceramic art from which they emerged. Surrounded by pristine nature and inspired by the rich cultural history of his home area, Iwamura drew on his appreciation for the artisanal ceramics of Japan’s ancient eras, such as the hand-made vases of the Jomon Era (14.000 - 300 B.C.) and the terracotta haniwa figures of the Kofun Period (300 - 538 A.D.), as he began to shape his vision for a new type of sculpture. Centuries ago, cylindrical haniwa figurines, with their hollowed-out eyes and mouths, were placed atop and beside grave mounds. Seen from today’s perspective, their simple yet strikingly expressive forms recall Japanese pop culture’s fascination with all things kawaii (“cute”).