Nobuhito Nishigawara

Nobuhito Nishigawara was born in and raised in Nagoya, Japan until 1990 when he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He began studying sculptural ceramics in 1993 and graduated from University College of Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada in 1996. Nishigawara also received a BFA in ceramics from Kansas City Art Institute in 1999 and a MFA from Arizona State University in 2002. His professional experience includes a prolific exhibition history, multiple academic positions, as well as assisting Ken Ferguson and Susan Peterson.

Nobuhito Nishigawara was assigned to head the ceramics program at California State University, Fullerton in fall of 2006. Nishigawara is currently a Professor of Ceramics in the department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton.

Nishigawara’s recent series, Artificial Nature, develops a framework for ideas and interpretation to unfold while exploring the Japanese concept of MA—a space between or emptiness. This series of work harnesses ambiguity, allowing for reflections and interpretations to unfold through individual experiences. The works distill elements that emerge from nature, from the structure of plants to droplets of water, to establish moments of contemplation and beauty. Combining refined and gestural qualities in the work, they embrace this duality while they live precariously on the edge of beauty. Artificial Nature reflects Nishigawara’s own identity—neither fully Japanese or American—it is within this duality that he defines himself.

Nishigawara exhibits his sculptures both locally and nationally. Nishigawara’s major exhibitions include Akio Takamori and Nobuhito Nishigawara at Garth Clark Gallery in New York, NY, Three Generations in Ceramics (with Don Reitz) at University of Arizona Museum in Tucson, AZ, Ceramic Exhibition (with Stephen De Staebler) at Udinotti Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, and Japan/USA (with Jun Kaneko) at The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, NM.