Exhibition:

My Primal Memory by Nao Matsunaga

In the exhibition My Primal Memory, Nao Matsunaga responds to his ideas and experiences of dual cultural and national identity, reflecting on his formative years growing up in Japan, and the latter part of his childhood in England. Although this is a deeply personal investigation, his work references ancient universal themes concerning the human condition.

…as people, we haven’t really changed at all over thousands of years, the way we interact, think and feel is still the same, even though the tools we use have changed.

By creating work using primal materials and tools, he connects on an emotional level with cultures from eras past, suggesting that there are certain constants in human behaviour that have not, and will not, change. With a sense of longing for a solid identity, Matsunaga attempts to find his way through the two cultures that make up his personality; responding to subconscious, primal drives in order to find a unifying whole.

Nao Matsunaga was born in Osaka in 1980, graduating with an MA in Ceramics and Glass from the Royal College of Art (2005–7) and he has exhibited internationally ever since. He has been presented with various awards and scholarships, such as the Jerwood Makers Open 2012, Cove Park Residency, the Anglo-Sweden Society Bursary and the Leverhume Trust’s grant. His works are in the public collection of the Crafts Council.  Matsunaga is  represented by Marsden Woo Gallery, London.

Image: Installation shot of 'My Primal Memory' (2012) © Nao Matsunaga and Marsden Woo Gallery, London Photo: Phil Sayer

Exhibition details:

19 Oct 2012 to 13 Dec 2012

19 October- 13 December, Monday - Friday, 9:30am - 5:00pm

Daiwa Foundation Japan House Gallery

Organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Related events:

18 October 2012

Private view

This private view will celebrate the opening of the exhibition My Primal Memory by Nao Matsunaga, which will run until December 13th at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House. In this exhibition the artist responds to his ideas and experiences of dual cultural and national identity, reflecting on his formative years growing up in Japan, and the latter part of his childhood in England. Although this is a deeply personal investigation, his work references ancient universal themes concerning the human condition.

13 November 2012

Artist talk

This talk will be given by the artist of My Primal Memory, Nao Matsunaga, and Abraham Thomas, Curator of Designs and Lead Curator for Architecture at the V&A Museum.In the exhibition My Primal Memory, Nao Matsunaga responds to his ideas and experiences of dual cultural and national identity and although this is a deeply personal investigation, his work references ancient universal themes concerning the human condition.

Stand, 2012, black ceramic, porcelain © Nao Matsunaga and Marsden Woo Gallery, London

Peaks, 2012, glazed ceramic © Nao Matsunaga and Marsden Woo Gallery, London

Duality in Motion, part 1, 2010, ink on paper © Nao Matsunaga and Marsden Woo Gallery, London