NAOKI KOIDE

Born in 1968, Aichi, Japan
Naoki Koide, whose practice centered on sculptures using materials such as FRP and wood, and photographic works in the early stages of his career, started making works with ceramics in 2010 during his artist residency at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. As he himself states, “the time of firing (ceramics) that enables one of take a moment to stop and reflect, had best corresponded to my feelings,” it is a method that he has continued to work with to this day. In addition, Koide’s works and exhibitions to date have dealt with significant turning points in his own personal history, such as the death of his mother, his relationship with his partner, his wedding, moving to a new home, and the birth of his child.
In his expressions, Koide transforms his family as well as familiar people and creatures into somewhat humorous, dream-like beings that appear to transcend both time and space, and even the very world in which we live. While they incite memories that we as viewers may have in common, they harbor a mystical sense of endearment and joy, reflecting the artist’s warm gaze towards those in his surroundings.
Since the group exhibition “Magic Room” (curated by Satoshi Okada) in 2003, He held solo exhibitions with Tomio Koyama Gallery: “A Couple in the Bathroom” (2004), “Marriage” (2006), and “In These Days” (2008), “Maternity Leave” (2011), “Read Me a Story, Daddy” (2013), “JONICONIAN: Relics of an Unborn Kingdom” (2023). His other major exhibitions include “Cafe in Mito” (2004, Art Tower Mito, Tochigi), “Magical Art Life” (2006, Tokyo Wonder Site, Shibuya), “Fiction@Love” (2006, MOCA Shanghai), “neoneo Part1 [BOY]” (2009, Takahashi Collection Hibiya, Tokyo), “Echigo-Tumari Art Trienial” (2009, Nigata) and “Paul Clay” (2011, Salon 94 Bowery, New York).