David Ma is an interdisciplinary artist working across painting and ceramics, and a current graduate candidate at the Rhode Island School of Design. His practice deploys traditional East Asian decorative motifs in tension with Western constructs of individualism, exposing heterotopias, they're cultural spaces that mirror and destabilize the world outside. Through layered surfaces and fragmented iconography, Ma collages inherited visual languages into a personal Dao of identity and social relation. His work resists resolution, instead holding contradiction in formal balance. Ma is a recipient of the Windgate Foundation Scholarship, Martin Wong Scholarship, and the Richard Hirsch Memorial Award.
Education
2027
MFA Ceramics,
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
2022
BFA Studio Art,
New York University, New York, NY
MFA Ceramics,
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
2022
BFA Studio Art,
New York University, New York, NY
Art Fairs
2026
Latticework
Neptune in June
L.A. Alternative Art Fair
Torrance, CA
Latticework
Neptune in June
L.A. Alternative Art Fair
Torrance, CA
Group Shows
2026
In Flux
Sol Koffler Gallery
Providence, RI
2026
Ceramics Triennial
Woods-Gerry Gallery
Providence, RI
2025
Spring Open Studios 2025
MANA Contemporary
Jersey City, NJ
2024
Echoes of Mercy
Caelum Gallery
Chelsea, NY
2024
Greater Gravity
Ice Cream Social
Port Chester, NY
2023
A Reach to Gauge / LES Young Artists of Color Fellowship Showcase
FABnyc
New York, NY
2023
FATA Organa, curated by Anni Liu
Koala Farm
New York, NY
2023
A Cultural Constellation
Mamdouha Bobst Gallery
New York, NY
2023
For The Homies
35 Meadow St
New York, NY
2022
In Real Life
EV Gallery
New York, NY
2022
A Cricket in the Kitchen
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
2022
SRGE: Lost & Found
Pop Up Gallery
New York, NY
2022
The Universal in the Personal
80WSE Gallery
New York, NY
2021
BC / DC (Before Covid / During Covid)
Commons Gallery Virtual
New York, NY
2021
Inside Weather (Two-person exhibition with Andrea Caldarise)
Gallery Tutu
New York, NY
2020
Eastern & Western Borderless Excellent Artworks Exhibition by International Young Artists
Rodin International Artists Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
2020
Your Work Here
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
2020
Permanence in a time of Impermanence
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
2019
Build Up to Break Down
Rosenberg Gallery
New York, NY
2019
USAO Show
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
In Flux
Sol Koffler Gallery
Providence, RI
2026
Ceramics Triennial
Woods-Gerry Gallery
Providence, RI
2025
Spring Open Studios 2025
MANA Contemporary
Jersey City, NJ
2024
Echoes of Mercy
Caelum Gallery
Chelsea, NY
2024
Greater Gravity
Ice Cream Social
Port Chester, NY
2023
A Reach to Gauge / LES Young Artists of Color Fellowship Showcase
FABnyc
New York, NY
2023
FATA Organa, curated by Anni Liu
Koala Farm
New York, NY
2023
A Cultural Constellation
Mamdouha Bobst Gallery
New York, NY
2023
For The Homies
35 Meadow St
New York, NY
2022
In Real Life
EV Gallery
New York, NY
2022
A Cricket in the Kitchen
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
2022
SRGE: Lost & Found
Pop Up Gallery
New York, NY
2022
The Universal in the Personal
80WSE Gallery
New York, NY
2021
BC / DC (Before Covid / During Covid)
Commons Gallery Virtual
New York, NY
2021
Inside Weather (Two-person exhibition with Andrea Caldarise)
Gallery Tutu
New York, NY
2020
Eastern & Western Borderless Excellent Artworks Exhibition by International Young Artists
Rodin International Artists Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
2020
Your Work Here
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
2020
Permanence in a time of Impermanence
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
2019
Build Up to Break Down
Rosenberg Gallery
New York, NY
2019
USAO Show
Commons Gallery
New York, NY
Lectures, Workshops, And Panels
2025
"Work in Process, A Shared Journey: The Barkan Contemporary Ceramic Collection at the RISD Museum",
RISD Museum,
Providence, RI
2024
Poetry Electric – Special Chinese New Year Event,
LaMaMa,
New York, NY
"Work in Process, A Shared Journey: The Barkan Contemporary Ceramic Collection at the RISD Museum",
RISD Museum,
Providence, RI
2024
Poetry Electric – Special Chinese New Year Event,
LaMaMa,
New York, NY
Press
‘The Universal in the Personal: A Conversation with David Ma and Caleb Williams’,
IFAcontemporary,
by Juul Van Haver
‘From the Frontline: NYU Art Students during Covid-19’,
Eyes Towards the Dove
by Katy Diamond Hamer,
IFAcontemporary,
by Juul Van Haver
‘From the Frontline: NYU Art Students during Covid-19’,
Eyes Towards the Dove
by Katy Diamond Hamer,
Residencies
LES Young Artists of Color Fellowship
2023
2023
Honors and Awards
Windgate Foundation Scholarship
2025 & 2026
Richard Hirsch Memorial for Students in the Arts
2022
Martin Wong Scholarship
2021
2025 & 2026
Richard Hirsch Memorial for Students in the Arts
2022
Martin Wong Scholarship
2021