RSVP and drop-in anytime between 12:00 —17:00

Location: Rua Red Entrance

As a Japanese artist based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Masuyama has converted the interior of a caravan into two parts; one half related to Irish culture and the other half to British culture. Many of the items, symmetrically displayed on their respective sides, have counterparts in both cultures. Since relocating to Belfast in 2010, Masuyama has often grappled with the nuances of what separates Irish and British identity within the region’s complex society. This project has become a way of learning and exploring those cultural subtleties through conversations with people who step inside the caravan. The work is continually evolving, as the artist adds new objects, refines the display, and adapts it in response to dialogue. Approaching the project from an outsider’s perspective, neither religious nor politically aligned, Masuyama brings a sense of neutrality to the inquiry. While the caravan can be difficult to entice people into, given its association with private space, those who do enter are invariably intrigued. Visitors often begin reflecting on Irish and British culture, wider society, and their own personal histories.

About Shiro Masuyama

Originally from Japan, Masuyama studied architecture to MA level, a background that continues to shape his art practice through site-specific and architectural interventions. Drawing on both his architectural training and his Japanese identity, he creates socially engaged works that connect people and society in meaningful ways. Interaction is central to his practice; he regards dialogue and participation as vital processes that can lead to unexpected and transformative outcomes.

Following international residencies at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2006), and Flax Art Studios (2009), Masuyama settled in Belfast, where he has lived and worked ever since. His multidisciplinary practice spans performance, sculpture, installation, photography, and video. As a Japanese artist rooted in Northern Ireland, Masuyama occupies a unique position from which to question how personal and cultural identity are shaped by the region’s dominant political forces.