MADARA MANJI

MADARA MANJI began studying metalwork at the age of 19 under a master craftsman in Kyoto, where he learned foundational techniques in metal engraving. He later taught himself mokume-gane, a traditional Japanese metalworking technique in which multiple layers of different metals are fused through heat and then carved to reveal intricate woodgrain-like patterns. His work includes cubic metal objects and sculptural pieces that integrate concrete, exploring the interplay between materials.

In recent years, he has expanded his practice with projects based on the concept of the “causal relationship between place and object,” creating site-specific installations that interact with the environment, architecture, and local context.

Since his debut solo exhibition Antagonism and Transcendence (2017, Whitestone Gallery KARUIZAWA), he has presented new works at galleries and art fairs in Japan and internationally. In 2023, he published SOLID, a monograph compiling his work to date, followed by a retrospective solo exhibition ALIVE at the Shiga Kogen Roman Art Museum. In 2024, his large-scale iron cube ALIVE was installed as a permanent outdoor work at Koumi Museum of Art, located at an elevation of 1,280 meters.