Today we’d like to introduce you to Chiho Harazaki.
Chiho, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the countryside of Japan. I spent every summer with my sculptor uncle at his remote mountain studio, and was influenced by his lifestyle and his approach to art. After moving to the United States and discovering tape art in college, I became fascinated with using various kinds of adhesive tape for my art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Luckily, supported by my husband and friends, my life as an artist has been relatively smooth, but I do struggle with social anxiety. Explaining my art and communicating with curators and buyers are unavoidable parts of the art business. Raised in a society that values silence and quietness (especially from females), I often find it stressful and discomfort about expressing myself, especially in a second language. My low self-esteem, in addition to the language barrier, makes me tend to be shy and anti-social. I am naturally an introvert, most comfortable staying home and working in my studio. I am still struggling to express myself in English comfortably and confidently.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Instead of ink or paint, I draw with tape. I use electrical tape, duct tape, masking tape, fluorescent tape, washi tape, and more. Each kind of tape has different characteristics and gives
its unique texture to my work. I cut adhesive tape into shapes using knives and scissors,
assembling the tiny pieces of tape to compose a whole picture. The hand-cut shapes and lines often evoke the feeling of modern graphic illustration while reminiscent of traditional arts like woodcut and paper cutting.
Growing up in Japan and later moving to the U.S., I have wandered, seeking to find a sense of belonging in two countries whose cultures and societal values are so different. My attempts at assimilation into a new culture in the U.S. actually increased my feelings of isolation. Synthesizing elements of Eastern and Western culture in my art has been part of my journey of discovering my own unique and distinctive personality and identity, which are not firmly rooted in either one of the cultures but are actually a mix of elements from both. The time spent living in the U.S. has allowed me to see the culture I came from in a new way and to share it through my art.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The book, “No-No Boy,” is a fictional story about a Japanese American man who was incarcerated in a Japanese internment camp during and after World War II. This book depicts the anger, depression, despair, irritation, confusion, and disappointment he experiences while seeking his identity between two countries and his family.
I think this book will resonate with immigrants, members of minority groups, people of mixed nationalities or heritage, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone seeking to discover their identity and to find meaning in their life. I think they will sympathize with the feelings expressed and come away feeling encouraged to just be themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chihoharazaki.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiho_harazaki/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chihoart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ-L_gWrHkdJFjQGKA-oTMw
Image Credits
3rd picture (5 females in black dresses) – Level Ground, Labkhand Olfatmanesh 4th picture (Beverly Hills) – John Lobb
