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Midori Yamanaka (she/her) is a social practice artist and educator 

based between Hokkaido, Japan, and the U.S. West Coast. She was raised in the Okhotsk region at the northern edge of Japan, near Russia—a land originally inhabited by the Indigenous Ainu people. As a child, Midori witnessed the sea freeze over each winter, transforming into temporary land; for her, spring was marked not by blooming flowers, but by melting snow. This unique environment shaped her distinctive sensibility and outsider's perspective from an early age.

At age seven, she began practicing Japanese calligraphy, later moving to the United States to study visual communication despite speaking limited English. Over the years, Midori has worked as a graphic designer and creative director, leading global branding projects and exploring human-centered communication strategies. Her grassroots engagement and social practice art projects deepen her dedication to intercultural dialogue, fostering resilient community bonds, and facilitating meaningful individual connections.

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About Me: Through My Friends' Eyes

This video, created in 2022, was part of my application for the prestigious MFA Art and Social Practice program at Portland State University, a top 15 art school in the USA. It represents a unique approach to demonstrating my talents as required by the assignment.

© Midori Yamanaka

Contact

Portland, OR. USA

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