Makiko Harris
Most creatives
I know have multiple jobs to make it work financially
Makiko Harris (b. 1989, Japanese & American) is a multimedia visual artist and musician based between London, UK and San Francisco, CA. Working across painting, installation, sculpture, and sound, Harris creates immersive environments which explore themes of feminism, identity, and power. Her work has been exhibited and collected internationally, and she has been featured at the Tate Modern in London.
AT HOME WITH MAKIKO HARRIS
When did you realise you wanted to pursue an artistic career? What motivated you?
I’ve been painting and making things for as long as I can remember. I remember considering a career as an artist around age 20 when none of the other college majors felt like the right fit for me, but I also remember thinking pursuing a career as an artist wasn’t a ‘legitimate’ option. I was always concerned with being able to support myself financially, so initially I chose careers in adjacent creative fields with more traditionally available jobs: costume design, fashion merchandising, and then web design. I got into my 30s and realised that working for someone else on a creative vision I didn’t produce myself was never going to feel right for me, and that really the only thing I was truly cut out to do was to pursue my own career as an artist.
How would you describe your unique artistic style?
Femme, expressive, exploratory… with an edge.
How did you find this style? And has it changed over time? If yes, how has it changed over time?
I think I’m still exploring. And yes, it’s changed a lot over time. I think where I am now is more focused and concentrated than how I’ve worked in the past. I think finding a style or a thread that weaves through your work is best done by making lots of work. Don’t overthink it. Just make lots of work and see what resonates with you the most, what keeps you curious to go further.