Artist

Mariko Konno

Artist

Mariko Konno is an artist and illustrator from Sydney, Australia with a Scottish and Japanese heritage. She draws inspiration from different cultures, fantasty and myth, nature, and storytelling. She has an illustrative style and uses pencils, ink and acrylic pens, markers, aerosol spray paint, acrylic paint and uses a tablet for digital art. She has attained a Certificate IV in Fine Arts; painted and collaborated with a collective of artists; designed artwork for a variety of companies and businesses; works as a youth arts facilitator; performed live art at festivals; corporate events, markets; and has done solo and group exhibitions.

What does success look like to you?

Being able to continue to have a close connection with friends, family and community.

How does your job fit into your life - does it feel like a 9-5, or maybe it’s more of a calling?

I work as an Artist, Children's educator and work in a Japanese Karaoke Bar so I am working part time. Being an Artist is a calling and I will never think of it as a job just part of who I am.

If you had the chance, what’s something you’d like to tell your 16 year-old self?

I wouldn't tell her anything, just listen and hug her.

How can we, both as individuals and as a society, help encourage body positivity?

I guess show examples of a variety of shapes and sizes of bodies in society, marketing campaigns etc. Having body positivity classes and teaching students in schools about building confidence and self esteem within ourselves.

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