In my artwork I examine wonders of the natural world, the minutiae of everyday life, and my own family stories in the context of larger historical and social issues.

As a descendant of Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War II, I am both haunted and inspired by this history, my family’s paths of resistance and their resilience. Through my art practice, I am working to spread awareness of this past injustice. By sharing my personal story, I want to encourage empathy for those suffering from parallel issues of fear and racism today.

Bio

Shari is a visual artist working in printmaking, watercolor and book arts. She has a degree in architecture and worked as an architect before shifting her focus to art.

Shari’s etchings and paintings are housed in the Alameda County Art Collection and Library of Congress Fine Print Collection and have been featured as cover art for the magazine, Edible Eastbay. She illustrated science concepts for the collaborative project, Science Tarot and created the artwork for a limited edition book, Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) to accompany an original music composition by Kenji Oh for Pinna Records, and inspired by the historical kabuki play.

She is one of the five members of the artist collective, Sansei Granddaughters’ Journey.