HARUKO MORI

Seattle-based Contemporary Artist

Explores memory, identity, and emotional narratives through anthropomorphic figures inspired by Japanese visual culture and Western art history.

A abstract painting with white and black paint strokes and smudges covering it, creating an abstract, textured pattern.
A female contemporary artist stands inside an old stone building with large columns, looking out towards a sunlit exterior with brick pavement and trees.

About the Artist

  • Haruko Mori is a Japanese contemporary artist whose practice explores visual communication beyond cultural and linguistic boundaries. Influenced by both Japanese and Western art histories, her work draws from Edo-period painting, ukiyo-e, decorative aesthetics, and anthropomorphic expression found throughout Japanese visual culture.

    At first glance, Haruko’s paintings depict animals, plants, and fictionalized figures. Through anthropomorphic expression, however, these subjects become symbolic characters onto which viewers — regardless of cultural background — can project emotion, memory, and human relationships.

    By using animals as universal visual metaphors, she seeks to create emotionally resonant works that encourage empathy, connection, and shared understanding beyond language.

    Through layered compositions, vivid color, and decorative spatial language, She navigates the intersection of Japanese and Western aesthetics — a sensibility shaped by her experience living and working in the United States as a Japanese artist.

  • Haruko Mori is a Japanese contemporary artist based in Seattle, Washington.

    Working primarily in painting, Haruko creates anthropomorphic imagery that blends influences from Japanese visual culture with contemporary narrative painting.

    Her work has been exhibited in Japan, Germany, and the United States, and has been featured in publications including Juxtapoz Magazine and Supersonic Art.

    Her practice explores cross-cultural visual language through decorative compositions, symbolic figures, and emotionally driven storytelling.

  • HARUKO MORI

    Seattle, Washington, USA
    Born 1987 in Aichi, Japan

    EDUCATION

    2012
    M.A., Oil Painting & Printmaking, Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music

    2010
    B.A., Oil Painting, Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music

    SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2013
    what I cherish...
    Gallery Introart

    2013
    place
    ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Court Nagoya

    2012
    garden -their place-
    Gallery Introart

    SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2020
    Visual Impressions
    Ryan James Fine Arts

    2016
    Bird Robot Heart
    Crane & Antler Gallery

    2015
    Keiryu 2
    Aichi University of the Arts Satellite Gallery

    2014
    Engimono – The Exhibition of Mascots & Lucky Charms
    Pakupakuan

    2013
    Keiryu
    Toyota Municipal Museum of Art City Gallery

    2012
    460-ninten
    City Gallery YADA

    2012
    Japan and Germany Group Show
    Spinnerei

    2012
    Junkaiten
    The Artcomplex Center of Tokyo

    ART FAIRS

    2013
    ART NAGOYA 2013
    The Westin Nagoya Castle

    2013
    Kobe Art Marche 2013
    Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel

    2012
    Kobe Art Marche 2012
    Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel

    AWARDS

    2014
    ALBION AWARDS 2014 — 2nd Prize

    2013
    Gizmobies Winter Contest 2013 — 2nd Prize

    2012
    Tokyo Book Cover Design Award, Student Section — Selected Artist

    2009
    International Graphic Art Biennale Split — Selected Artist

    PUBLICATIONS

    • Art Collector

    • Juxtapoz Magazine

    • Supersonic Art

    • Partfaliaz

    COLLABORATIONS

    2017
    Collaboration with H.A.K
    Autumn / Winter Collection

    CURRENTLY

    2015 – Present
    Based in Seattle, Washington, USA