Image:
Taro IIYAMA
Platypus juniors 2023
recycled cardboard, varnish
dimensions variable
15th Sep — 12th Nov 2023
Simpson Gallery
Taro liyama presents an immersive exhibition, iNTO, in the Simpson Gallery throughout Spring 2023.
Through family-friendly activities embedded within the exhibition, iNTO encourages young audiences to deeply engage with the environmental concepts explored, both in material and theme. iNTO delves further into the artist’s interest in the intimate connection between humans and the natural world, particularly in this area.
Iiyama explains he “creates art that amplifies how we relate to materials, processes, and thoughts. My work questions how we think, feel, and act with the Earth and its inhabitants, both living and otherwise…My intention for this installation is to highlight the beauty and joy of nature, focusing on the generally, unobserved underwater world. While the creative process is deeply personal, it is an expression of my life’s journey. I discover myself, and new possibilities through this process.”
“Many people are unaware that platypus live in our creeks and lakes. It is a very difficult to see this shy animal that lives in quiet places and is very affected by human activities, such as pollution, invasive species, algal growths, siltation and destruction of creek banks, all put their homes under increasing pressure.”
About the Artist
Taro Iiyama was born in Tokyo, Japan, and has been living in Australia since 2004. Taro completed a Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery Design) and Diploma of Visual Arts at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, Victoria (2004 – 2009). His work often reflects his deep concerns for the environment. Iiyama is interested in expanding the possibilities of making objects that may raise environmental awareness from common, mundane and recycled materials.
His cardboard figure Vessel was the winner of the Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition in Melbourne (2019). He regularly participates in exhibitions, and has been awarded on several occasions, most recently the winner of Upstream Small Sculpture Prize in Albury/Wodonga (2020); the Best Small Sculpture Award in the Swanpool Creative Recycled Art Prize (2019); the Rutherglen Taste of Art Prize (2019); and he was also a finalist in the Yarra Valley Arts / Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition & Awards (2018, 2022); and the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Prize (2018).
In 2022, Taro Iiyama staged a solo exhibition titled Hands Up at the Hyphen Wodonga Library Gallery; presented a solo exhibition at Wangaratta Art Gallery in 2018, and was artist-in-residence at Chiltern Art Prize in 2019.
Take part in the Platy Project!
Have you ever seen a platypus in the wild? It’s a magical moment when this strange and adorable animal emerges from the ripples in the water.
This September, iNTO exhibition partner, the Australian Conservation Foundation is asking people to record any platypus sightings, to help researches understand more about this elusive animal and how we can better protect it.
Click HERE to take part in the Platy Project this September.
Taro Iiyama: iNTO is presented as part of the 2023 Benalla Festival—Celebrating our Past, Present, Future
Benalla Art Gallery Exhibition Partners
