Midori
Biography
I am a Japanese-American interdisciplinary artist whose work navigates the ambiguities of everyday life, labor, material culture, and the distortion of memory. Rooted in cross-cultural experiences and inspired by the traditions of folk crafts, I weave rescued and discarded materials into my practice, uncovering unexpected beauty in what others overlook.
My art spans performance, installation, sculpture, and social practice, combining seething sorrow, stubborn optimism, and a dash of nerdy humor to confront the complexities of our world. Through my work, I aim to disrupt the ordinary and provoke new ways of seeing, inviting audiences—and myself—to question social norms, challenge cultural biases, and reflect on the delicate balance of our environment and society. By drawing attention to the uncanny within the familiar, I hope to spark curiosity and inspire meaningful conversations.
Outwardly, I am a bespectacled, middle-aged queer Japanese-American woman in sensible outdoor garb. My journey began in the vibrant streets of Tokyo, where I grew up with little, before immigrating to the U.S., serving in the Army, and eventually graduating from UC Berkeley.
Inwardly, I grapple with my monstrosity—my inner Godzilla, a powerful force of rage and profound potential energy. This primal part of me churns with untamed creativity and raw emotion, demanding to be expressed. My art is a dialogue, a dance, and a scuffle between the civilized and the primordial within me. It is an act of reclamation and transformation, channeling both vulnerability and ferocity into works that explore what it means to care for a fragile, interconnected world.