Murata Aya was born in Kyoto in 1979, and graduated the famous DODA Art School in 1998, before two years at the Kyoto College of Art, from which she graduated in 2000. Shen continued her studies at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics School, graduating in 2004.  Since she has been exhibited widely both domestically and abroad, including The USA, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Italy, Korea and Belgium among others. She was selected for the prestigious Paramita Ceramic Art Taishoten in 2022. Works by her are held in the Korean Ceramic Foundation, the International Ceramic Museum in Faenze, the National Tainan University as well as the Yingge Ceramic Museum in Taiwan among others.

By mixing pigments directly in the soil, I create a variety of colored clays which are then combined to form innumerous patterns in a technique called Nerikomi. The patterns I create are inspired by cells, which are the basis of life. This allows me to work with a unique foundation, creating works that have a strong vital presence; maintaining the characteristics of the clay itself with moving, fluid-like patterns. This process requires great time and patience because of its delicacy.

All of my works have a consistent theme, which is "Vitality". I try to express the beauty and harshness of nature through my work.  That vital energy takes many forms in the natural world.  Under survival conditions, some evolved weapons such as claws and teeth, others developed poisons and thorns, while yet others learned to beautifully mimic their surroundings.  My goal is to create work that allows one to perceive this life and feel it's breath.