SHUMOKU GALLERY is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Iwao Ikeda (b. 1940).

Born as the eldest son of the second-generation master Hyōa Ikeda, Iwao Ikeda began learning bamboo craftsmanship from his father at an early age, immersing himself in the world of tea and gaining a deep appreciation for classical traditions. He went on to study at Tokyo University of the Arts, where he trained under renowned lacquer artist Gonroku Matsuda, creating tea utensils in accordance with classical traditions using lacquer.

In 1986, as if discovering his own identity, Ikeda broke away from tea ceremony conventions and began creating simple yet tension-filled tea utensils and flower containers that brought out the intrinsic allure of bamboo and lacquer. Around 2005, he began producing works that abandoned utilitarian function altogether, embracing a theme of “The Life of Bamboo, the Spirit of Lacquer” by smashing and tearing lacquered bamboo.

In 2008, Ikeda gained significant attention with a major solo exhibition at the Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum of Art. In recent years, he has actively exhibited internationally in cities such as Berlin and New York, further expanding his presence on the global stage.

This exhibition marks his first solo show in Nagoya and centers around a new series of six works titled Divergence of Consciousness—a bold departure for the artist. Known for his mastery in harnessing the inherent qualities of bamboo, Ikeda here places his own consciousness and life force at the heart of his work. Through the visceral acts of splitting and peeling bamboo in response to his own bodily sensations, he conveys a deeply personal worldview.

Having spent a lifetime mastering the materials of bamboo and lacquer while maintaining a sustained interest in contemporary art, Ikeda—now 78 years old—confronts his inner self and physical being through these powerful and ephemeral works, achieving a timeless beauty that transcends generations.