Iwata Tomoya
Curator / Director, The 5th Floor
Photo by Linda Bujoli
Tomoya Iwata (b.1995, Aichi) completed his MA at the Graduate School of Global Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, and is currently the director of The 5th Floor, a curatorial space in Tokyo. Through on-site research, Iwata frequents alternative spaces in various cities, mainly in Asia, to further understand the dynamics between institutional and alternative art scenes in their individual context. As a practitioner who runs such a space, he explores the potential for alternatives to existing systems through curatorial practices beyond exhibition-making.
Recent exhibitions include: “Suddenly This Overview” (Japan Foundation Gallery, Sydney, 2026), “Obol” (solo exhibition by Andrius Arutiunian; Hermès Maison Ginza Le Forum, Tokyo, 2026), “Deep in the Sway” (The 5th Floor, Tokyo, 2026), “Reverse Cabinet” (Special Exhibition at Kiaf, Seoul, 2025), “Sandglass flowing backward” (kudan house, Tokyo, 2025), “ANNUAL BRAKE” series (The 5th Floor, Tokyo, 2022/2023/2024).
He participated in the 2024 Overseas Study Visit Program for Arts Management Professionals (60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition).