I am Erika Matsunami, a visual artist, sound/sonic composer, and artistic researcher born in Hiroshima, Japan, and I live and work in Berlin, Germany. My practice spans sculpture, video, photography, sound installations, and interdisciplinary collaboration, exploring memory, identity, and the visual language of media. I am drawn to the intersections of ethics, aesthetics, and neuroscience, often framing my work as a dialogue between perception and social experience. I have produced solo projects and participated in numerous group exhibitions across Europe, engaging with international networks and researchers. My work blends artistic practice with research, addressing metamorphosis and the social dimensions of art, while remaining rooted in hands-on creation and collaboration with composers, engineers, and curators.

Erika Matsunami

I am Erika Matsunami, a visual artist, sound/sonic composer, and artistic researcher born in Hiroshima, Japan, and I live and work in Berlin, Germany. My practice spans sculpture, video, photography, sound installations, and interdisciplinary collaboration, exploring memory, identity, and the visual language of media. I am drawn to the intersections of ethics, aesthetics, and neuroscience, often framing my work as a dialogue between perception and social experience. I have produced solo projects and participated in numerous group exhibitions across Europe, engaging with international networks and researchers. My work blends artistic practice with research, addressing metamorphosis and the social dimensions of art, while remaining rooted in hands-on creation and collaboration with composers, engineers, and curators.

Available to hire
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Experience Level

Expert
Intermediate

Language

Japanese
Fluent
German
Advanced
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Artist in Residence at Kyoto Art Centre
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004
Workshop-focused residency with collaboration between Antonis Anissegos and Erika Matsunami exploring cross-cultural exchange in performance, sculpture, and video.
Artist in Residence / Media Lab at Can Serrat / Hangar Centre de producció i recerca d'arts visuals
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Residency emphasizing multimedia experimentation and collaborative development of works around still/silent concepts across venues.
Artist in Residence at OSTRALE Zentrum für zeitgenössische Künste
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Residency supporting the still/silent project and related works; contributed to Ostrale's exploration of contemporary art practices.
Project Grant Recipient at Künstlerhaus Lukas
November 1, 2006 - November 30, 2006
Selected for a project grant to develop new works in Ahrenshoop, Germany.
Artist at Independent / Self-employed
January 1, 1997 - Present
Berlin-based visual artist and sound researcher working across sculpture, photography, video, and performance; engages in artistic research projects and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Artist in Residence (Project Grant) at Künstlerhaus Lukas, Ahrenshoop, Germany
November 1, 2006 - November 30, 2006
Project grant to develop new work and investigate artistic processes.
Artist in Residence (Media Lab) at Can Serrat / Hangar Center de producció i recerca d'arts visuals
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Media Lab residency focusing on multimedia experimentation in collaboration with Can Serrat and Hangar.
Artist in Residence at OSTRALE Zentrum / Les coloriés
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Artist in Residence with works in the Ostrale framework; activities include performance and installation development.
The Cop - The Art of Feedback at Orpheus Instituut, Ghent, Belgium
November 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
The Cop - The Art of Feedback, advancing supervision for artistic research doctorates.

Education

Master of Fine Arts at Institute for Art in Context, Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin)
January 1, 1991 - December 23, 1997
Postgraduate studies in Klangkunst / Sound Art at UNI.K Studio für Klangkunst, Universität der Künste Berlin
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010
Postgraduate studies in Music at UNI.K Studio für Klangkunst, Universität der Künste Berlin
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012
PhD in Fine Arts (in progress) at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Switzerland
August 1, 2019 - April 20, 2026
Pre-PhD in artistic research Metamorphosis - Ethics and Aesthetics are One - Neuroscientific Perspective at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Switzerland
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Fine Arts - Sculpture at Hijiyama University, Hiroshima, Japan
January 1, 1982 - December 31, 1984
Fine Arts - Sculpture (Advanced Courses) at Hijiyama University, Hiroshima, Japan
January 1, 1984 - December 31, 1986
Master of Arts in Art in Context at Institute for Art in Context, Universität der Künste Berlin
January 1, 1991 - December 23, 1997
Guest Auditor – Klangkunst (Postgraduate) at UNI.K Studio für Klangkunst und Klangforschung, UdK Berlin
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010
Guest Auditor – Klangkunst (Postgraduate) at UNI.K Studio für Klangkunst und Klangforschung, UdK Berlin
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012
PhD in Fine Arts at Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland
August 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Pre-PhD in artistic research Metamorphosis at Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Diploma in Fine Arts at Hijiyama University, Hiroshima, Japan
January 1, 1982 - December 31, 1984
Fine Arts (Sculpture) – Advanced Studies at Hijiyama University, Hiroshima, Japan
January 1, 1984 - December 31, 1986
Master of Fine Arts (Artistic Social Advertising) at Institute for Art in Context, Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin)
January 1, 1991 - December 23, 1997
Postgraduate study in Music (Studio for Klangkunst and Klangforschung) at UNI.K Studio für Klangkunst, Universität der Künste Berlin
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010
Postgraduate study in Music (Guest auditor) at UNI.K Studio für Klangkunst, Universität der Künste Berlin
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012
PhD in Fine Arts (PhD in progress / Pre-PhD phase) at Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland
August 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Pre-PhD in Artistic Research: Metamorphosis - Ethics and Aesthetics are One - Neuroscientific Perspective at Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Qualifications

PhD in Fine Arts
August 1, 2019 - April 20, 2026
Pre-PhD in Metamorphosis - Ethics and Aesthetics are One - Neuroscientific Perspective
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other