CV | Portfolio | WATARU KOYAMA 小山渉

Field: "Innermost Narrative"

I have a consistent interest in the human mind, and I create works—primarily video art—that explore themes such as emotions, psychopathology, the boundaries between normality and abnormality, and perspectives on life and death. In recent years, I have been focusing on expressions that emerge from the intimate relationships developed over time between the artist and their subjects.

The foundation of my work is deeply influenced by my experiences as a socially withdrawn adolescent and as a staff member at a psychiatric welfare facility. These experiences have profoundly shaped my observations and imaginings of the human inner world, the process of dialogue with others, and the ways individuals confront and navigate the oppression and norms imposed by society.

Humans can smile while feeling sadness or cry out of joy.
A loud voice may be compelled to simplicity, but a soft voice can preserve complexity and nuance.
My video works invite viewers to closely listen to the quiet, private voices of individuals.

In my exploration of the human mind, what I seek from artistic expression is the ability to unsettle the many boundaries that define our humanity.

Portfolio

WATARU KOYAMA
　1992　Born in Tokyo
　2016　BFA, Tokyo Zokei University

Solo show
　2023　"Snap out of it" (Art Center Ongoing, Tokyo)
　2021　"The Heart is Beating" (Decameron, Tokyo)
　2019　"Untouchable" (Kitasenju BUoY, Tokyo)

Group, duo show
　2023　"facetoface.controlnet (SITUASIAN vol.2)" (LANLANLI＆ONEPIECE GALLERY, Xiamen City, China)
　2023　"Creative Thinking 1: A Modern Touch" (Tokyo Zokei University Affiliated Art Museum, Tokyo)
　2023　"Himemoto Takeshi Contemporary Art Collection Vol. 4 Everything Everywhere All Alive" (Susakimachikado Gallery, etc, Kochi)
　2023　"Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program 2021-2022: New Works by 6 Supporting Artists" (Daikanyama Hillside Forum, Tokyo)
　2022　"GUMYOJI OPEN STUDIO 2022 AUTUMN"（Meiro Koizumi Studio, Kanagawa）
　2022　"WVlog:personal"（Art Center Ongoing, Tokyo）
　2022　"Sumikko CRASH☆"（MUJIN-TO Production, Tokyo）
　2021　"ALTERNATIVE KYOTO" (Various locations in Yagi Town, Nantan City, Kyoto)
　2020　"1GB" (SPIRAL Hall Foyer, Tokyo)
　2018　"Escape" (Art Center Ongoing, Tokyo)
　2016　“SUPER OPEN STUDIO 2016” (Aihara Studio, Tokyo）
　2015　“Studio Exhibition 2015 summer " （Satoshi Ohno Studio, Yamanashi)

Performance
　2019　"Circus, festival" (blan Class, Kanagawa)
　2019　"Phantasma" (blan Class, Kanagawa)
　2018　"Regional consideration to travel - Summer version inspired by Akita" (Gojome Town, Akita)
　2018　"Spectacular inter-forest school" Theater Commons Lab, (SHIBAURA HOUSE, Tokyo)

Screening

　2025　"The 7th Bangkok Experimental Film Festival (BEFF7)" (One Bangkok Forum, Bangkok, Thailand)
　2019　"RAM PRACTICE -Thoughts on Post Documentary" (Shibuya EURO LIVE, Tokyo)

Exhibitions Planning
　2023　"EDITION BOX Ⅱ -body of concept-" (Geidai Art Plaza, Tokyo)
　2020　"EDITION BOX -VIDEO WORKS as MATERIAL-" (HIGURE 17-15 cas, Tokyo)
　2019　"Display of works #2 -VIDEO EDITION BOX-" (Art Center Ongoing, Tokyo)
　2018　"Display of works #1 (SUPER OPEN STUDIO 2018)" (Aihara Studio, Tokyo）

Artist in residence
　2020　"Kyoto: Re-Search in Nantan" (Nantan City, Kyoto）

Fellowship
　2021-2022　"Mitsubishi Corporation ART GATE Program 2021 - 2022 / Category: Breakthrough"

小山渉

　1992　東京都生まれ

　2016 東京造形大学造形学部美術学科絵画専攻卒業

個展

　2023　"Snap out of it 正気を取り戻せ" Art Center Ongoing｜東京

　2021　"心臓が動いている " デカメロン | 東京

　2019　"Untouchable" 北千住BUoY｜東京

グループ展

　2023　""facetoface.controlnet (SITUASIAN vol.2)" LANLANLI＆ONEPIECE GALLERY | 廈門市、中国

　2023　"造形思考１-現在の手ざわり-" 東京造形大学附属美術館 | 東京