SUZUNA IWASA: drawing ・ Morphogenesis / Whitestone Gallery Karuizawa

As water is absorbed into the paper, ripples extend outward, soft blues and purples blending, eventually forming a landscape devoid of borders. It is an experience that even non-artists may recognize—whether from using watercolor, acrylic, sumi ink, or simply observing how water interacts with paper, causing it to expand and transform the surface.

Suzuna Iwasa is an artist who harnesses these serendipitous interactions between materials, translating them into tangible shapes and forms. From the fortuitous encounter of paint, brush, and surface, her works evoke a myriad of associations, guiding the observer into a world of fantasy. Through this article, we delve into the thoughts and creative processes behind her creations, as shared by the artist.

Suzuna Iwasa: drawing ・ Morphogenesis

A Chain of Forms Born from Serendipity

Suzuna Iwasa, "Ponder of rain", 2024, Acrylic on cotton.

- You primarily work with ink, acrylic, and sumi ink—each a rather simple material. Could you elaborate on the distinct qualities they bring to your practice?

Suzuna: All three are water-soluble, which makes them particularly conducive to effects like seepage and bleeding. I initially began with copperplate etching, where corrosion and pressing require relinquishing some degree of control. This suited me well. Similarly, when working with ink and sumi, I allow the water to take over, letting the natural movements dictate the outcome. Acrylic, by contrast, offers the flexibility to apply layers and gradients with ease, which I find quite appealing.

- Your pieces evoke a fluidity—lines flowing and colors merging as though in motion. How do you approach the creative process to achieve this sense of movement?

Suzuna: It feels like an ongoing dialogue between the water, the ink, and myself. As I paint, the way the medium spreads often yields unexpected results, which inspire the next image. Through this repeated exchange, forms and landscapes gradually take shape. I am often surprised by the images that emerge, but that element of unpredictability is what makes the process so rewarding.

The Trinity of Line, Form, and Word

SUZUNA IWASA: drawing ・ Morphogenesis / Whitestone Gallery Karuizawa

- You also seem to draw inspiration not only from the forms that arise by chance but from the words associated with them. What significance do "lines," "forms," and "words" hold in your work, and how do you see their interrelationship?

Suzuna: In the Japanese syllabary, each sound carries its resonance. I associate "A" with "surprise" and "beginnings," while "Me" evokes "sprouts," "eyes," or the "eye of a storm"—an essential point or a circular nuance. The sound "Ame" connects to "Ame" as in rain or the heavens, and also conjures images of "Amma" (Buddhist nun). Each sound, with its inherent resonance, gives rise to words, and through their combination, entirely new images are born.

I see lines in much the same way. A single line can evoke "blood vessels," "nerves," "leaf veins," "rivers," or "paths." It's not that one form transforms into another, like a path turning into leaf veins, but rather, they coexist as multi-faceted and composite forms. It is this interaction and layering of meanings that shape the composition of my work.

The Pure, Playful, and Delightful World of Art

Suzuna Iwasa, "Chattering with a bird", 2024, 43X43cm, Acrylic on cotton.

- You initially worked with copperplate etching. What drew you into the world of art?

Suzuna: While completed works have certainly left a lasting impression on me, I was particularly drawn to the sketches, studies, and etchings of artists like Auguste Rodin and Joseph Beuys. There’s a fresh, whimsical quality to the lines, as though capturing an idea before it's fully realized, and that fascinated me.

Walking through a city and suddenly encountering a large spider sculpture or a human figure frozen in a colorful —these seemingly purposeless "objects" create a momentary sense of dislocation, like stepping into another world. It's a sensation akin to travel, and I wanted to create that kind of fantasy experience through my art.

Looking back, I believe that my original inspiration stemmed from the joyful experience of encountering and appreciating a work of art purely as a viewer—the experience of simply coming across and engaging with a piece of art.

A Deer’s Antlers as the Key to Elusive Fantasies

SUZUNA IWASA: drawing ・ Morphogenesis / Whitestone Gallery Karuizawa

- This upcoming exhibition in Karuizawa will be your first solo show at Whitestone Gallery. The subtitle, "How a plant’s flower blooms from a deer's head and a landscape appears," evokes a beautifully poetic image. What was your intention behind this title?

Suzuna: I added the subtitle to make the idea of "morphogenesis" more accessible. For me, it's not so much about having a strong attachment to specific forms, but about the process of associative imagination that I find interesting.

But in this exhibition, I’ve chosen to focus on the deer as a symbol. The shape of its head is captivating, with the antlers resembling branches, blood vessels, or wings. These elements come together, allowing for an endless expansion of imagery. The antlers also have cultural significance, symbolizing life, forests, and nature, especially as they regenerate over time. I wanted to embrace that positive symbolism in this work.

Suzuna Iwasa, "a microscopic view" – 2024, 29.5X34.5cm, Acrylic on cotton.

The antlers stretch out like aquatic plants, and at their tips, flowers resembling bell-shaped creatures bloom. There, too, the faint silhouette of a deer emerges. This fusion of microscopic perspectives and free associations invites viewers into a fantastical realm.

- Is there a particular piece or aspect of the exhibition that you would like viewers to pay special attention to?

Suzuna: Each painting in this exhibition is inspired by objects I’ve touched or scenes I’ve witnessed in my everyday life. These sights sparked both memories and imagination, allowing me to shape landscapes as forms—tracing the path of my associations.

The paintings can be viewed as independent landscapes, as a continuous visual narrative, or even as fantasies that exist solely in the mind of the deer. I encourage viewers to explore the various layers and interpretations within the works.

The World of Words and Forms at Play

Suzuna Iwasa

Suzuna Iwasa’s works are akin to the poetic devices of kakekotoba (pivot words), where overlapping meanings within a single form or word invite a multiplicity of interpretations. As the artist herself notes: "In a world where things become what they are meant to be, the shapes formed through this acceptance of serendipity carry a multifaceted beauty, a sense of the miraculous."

Suzuna Iwasa: drawing ・ Morphogenesis

Her solo exhibition, “Drawing Morphogenesis – How a plant's flower blooms from a deer's head and a landscape appears”, will be on view at Whitestone Gallery Karuizawa from September 14 to October 6, 2024. Don’t miss the chance to experience this fantastical journey through Iwasa’s serendipitous world.