Working across ceramic sculpture and works on paper, Ioanna Gouma explores the intricate interplay between natural elements and the human psyche. Her ceramic works draw inspiration from marine life, coral reefs, shells, fossils, and sea-worn forms. Built by hand through the gradual accumulation of clay, the sculptures evoke underwater landscapes suspended between growth and decay, reflecting on ecology, animism, and the symbiotic relationships within marine ecosystems.
In her works on paper, Gouma captures the essence of natural phenomena, including underwater echoes, alongside swirling dust and celestial rotations, microscopic organisms, and molecular interactions. Multiple layers – some nearly invisible to the naked eye – create universes of their own, not only mirroring what exists beyond us, but also what lies within and what is yet to emerge.
b. 1977, Athens, Greece
Lives and works in Athens
Represented by Upsilon Gallery, NYC
Education
2007 – 2009
MA, Royal College of Art, London
2000 – 2006
BA, (Hons) Athens School of Fine Arts
2003 – 2004
Faculdade de Belas Artes de Lisboa
Selected Exhibitions and Art Fairs
2026
1000 VASES, Paris Design Week, Paris
2026
Paper Cut, Upsilon Gallery, NYC
2024
Beyond the Surface, Eleven Female Artists, Upsilon Gallery, NYC
2024
Upsilon Unveiled, Group Exhibition, Upsilon, Gallery, London
2024
Impromptu, Group Exhibitions, Upsilon Gallery, NYC
2023
Super Collector, The Hyundai Seoul, Upsilon Gallery, South Korea
2023
Ink Miami, Art Fair, Suites of Dorchester, Upsilon Gallery, Miami
2023
Hamptons Fine Art Fair, Southampton Fairgrounds, Upsilon Gallery, NYC.
2023
Show of Shows, Group Exhibition, Upsilon Gallery, NYC
2023
Upsilon XE, Group Exhibition, Upsilon Gallery, NYC
2023
A Scattering of Salts, Curated by Panos Giannikopoulos, The ACG Gallery, The American College of Greece, Athens
2021
Under our Feet, Solo Exhibition, YΛΗ [matter] HYLE, supported by artist Georgia Sagri.
2019
Poisons, The Symptom Projects, The Symptom 10, Amfissa, curated by Apostolis Artinos
2019
Kypselian Salon, Greek and International artists, Snehta residency, Athens
2019
Man on the Moon, The Project Gallery, Athens
2018
Never Below Zero, thirty-five Greek and international artists Snehta, granted by NEON
2018
Cosmonauts of inner space, Herakleidon Museum, Athens
2017
Histographies, 12 Untitled Watercolors, Solo Exhibition, Curated by Niki Papaspyrou, Rodakio/ Fotagogos, Athens
2017
Art Thessaloniki 2017, International Contemporary Art Fair, Donopoulos International Fine Arts, Thessaloniki
2017
Art Athina 2017, Donopoulos International Fine Arts Thessaloniki
2017
Three-Person Exhibition, Recent Works, Donopoulos International Fine Arts, Thessaloniki
2013
Projects and Programs of Materialization, CAMP Contemporary Art Meeting
2013
ROOMS2013, St. George Lycabettus Hotel, Athens
2013
ROOMS2013 plus + Kappatos Art Gallery
2012
Ink, Medousa Art Gallery, Athens, curated by Elizabeth Plessa
2012
IPCNY International Print Center New York, New Prints 2012/Winter.
2012
Double Take, the Art of Printmaking’, Studio 3 Gallery University of Kent
2011
NurtureArt 2011 Benefit, Chelsea Art Museum, New York
2010
Hot of the Press 10, Curwen And New Academy, London
2009
RCA Summer Show, Royal College of Art, London
Residencies
2012
Flux Factory, New York City
Scholarships
2007 – 2009
Scholarships granted by the state foundation ‘IKY’, Athens
2003 – 2004
Scholarships granted by the state foundation ‘IKY’, Athens