Living in a Bubble

Eri Imamura’s artwork delves into the human psyche and how we adapt to social issues using the symbolic language of ancient and contemporary Japanese culture. Imamura uses refined materials to create her sacred works, including 24 karat gold beads and antique silk kimono fabrics. Her subject matter stems from Japanese traditional myths, which she blends with contemporary Manga imagery to create heroic works of skill, power, and transformation.

Born in 1977 in Tokyo, Eri Imamura lives and works between Tokyo and Bangkok. She received her BFA from Tokyo University of the Arts, the most prestigious art school in Japan, and received a degree with highest honors in Indigenous Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe in 2007.

Kimonos, the traditional garment and silk fabric of Japan, is at the core of Imamura’s artistic practice, which she transforms into three-dimensional soft sculptures. Seeking to test the boundaries of her medium and extend her practice into the ultracontemporary realm, Imamura also completed a residency with renowned Native American bead artist Teri Greeves during her 2007 residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts.