Landed by Ariel Oki

In Landed, I explore the emotional and physical landscapes that shape who I am—as a Japanese American artist with roots in Los Angeles, a deep connection to Hawaii, and a longing to make sense of a cultural inheritance that often feels far away or fragmented. This collection brings together a range of mixed media pieces, from expressive “brain dump” works to quieter, color-driven landscapes that reflect my internal world. Each piece marks a moment of arrival—temporary landings in places both real and imagined. Through layered textures, intuitive mark-making, and intentional use of color, I seek out a sense of peace, both in the process of creating and in the act of looking. Color, for me, is a way home. Landed is about holding space for contradiction: for movement and stillness, clarity and confusion, city grit and natural calm. It’s about letting all the pieces live together, just as they are.