Murata Aya was born in Kyoto in 1979 and received her early training at the renowned DODA Art School, graduating in 1998. She continued her studies at the Kyoto College of Art, graduating in 2000, and later completed her education at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics School in 2004. Since then, she has exhibited widely both in Japan and internationally, with exhibitions in the United States, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Italy, Korea, and Belgium, among others. In 2022 she was selected for the prestigious Paramita Ceramic Art Taishoten. Her work is held in several notable public collections, including the Korean Ceramic Foundation, the International Ceramic Museum in Faenza, and the National Tainan University.
Murata’s practice centers on the nerikomi technique, in which pigments are mixed directly into clay and combined to create intricate, layered patterns. Inspired by cells—the fundamental units of life—these patterns form a living visual language that flows through each work. By preserving the natural qualities of the clay while introducing fluid, organic movement, she creates pieces with a strong sense of presence and vitality. The process is highly time-intensive and demands great patience due to its technical delicacy.
A consistent theme throughout her work is “vitality.” Murata seeks to express both the beauty and harshness of nature, reflecting the diverse strategies through which life asserts itself—whether through strength, defense, adaptation, or mimicry. Through her ceramics, she aims to create forms that allow viewers to sense this living energy and feel its quiet, persistent breath.
She also participated in the exhibition "IBUKI" Digital Catalog
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