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About the Artist

Kaori Hamura Long

KAORi is a Japan– and U.S.-based visual artist whose work explores the invisible connections between nature, the cosmos, and the energy of consciousness. Rooted in a childhood filled with imaginative play and deep reverence for the natural world, her practice spans illustration, painting, character design, and animation across commercial and personal contexts. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York, she began her career as a character designer for MTV, later transitioning into freelance practice. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums from New York to Tokyo. Blending pop sensibility with dreamlike symbolism, KAORi creates visual narratives that gently call attention to peace, ecological awareness, and the shared energy that connects all life.

Profile in Japanese 日本語のプロフィールはこちら

Artist's Statement アーティスト・ステートメント


EDUCATION

Parsons School of Design, New York, U.S.A. / Paris, France, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
Sophia Junior College, Tokyo, Japan,
A.A. in English

EXPERIENCE

■Editorial Illustration

The Economist, NPR, Atlas Obbscura, Time Out New York, Interview Magazine, Google, Time Out New York, New York Press, Mademoiselle, Cosmo Girl!, New Times, Bikini, Boston Weekly Dig, Cyzo Magazine

■Children's Illustration

"Kappa Jizo" for Apple Store and Google Play Store, "Firefly Princess" for Google Books, "Young Yogi and the Mind Monsters" for Atmosphere Press, and "Reach For The Stars" for Bright Future EDG.

■T-shirts Design

Anna Sui, Liquid Sky Records, Patricia Field, and others

■Product Design

Mesa International, Home Goods, Costco, Sam's Club

■Character Design/ Animation

MTV Networks- Character Designer for "Down Town" Beavis & Butt-Head" TV Series & Movie, "Celebrity Deathmatch", "Daria"

Nickelodeon - Character Designer for "Gary The Rat" "Captain Itch"

Oxygen Media LLC- Creator/Animator for "Bootie Boogie"

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Fukuoka Asian Museum,Group Show, Fukuoka (2024, 2025)
Sup Stand, 333 x333 Show, Fukuoka (2024, 2025)
Bumpodo Gallery, Bumpodo Award Show, Tokyo (2023)
ArtBook Gallery, Monotone Show, Tokyo (2022-2023)

United Nations, 75th Anniversary Peace Poster Exhibition, New York (2021-2022)
Fukuoka Asian Museum,Group Show, Fukuoka (2022)
A'Design Award, Museo del Design, Como, Italy (2021)
Art Festival in Kobe Hankyu Department, Kobe, Japan (2021)
Gallert Iyn, Osaka, Japan (2021)
Miqué, Moss Moon Solo Show, Tokyo, Japan (2019, 2020)
Creation Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (2016)
Loft, Osaka, Japan (2015)
Loft, Fukuoka, Japan (2014)
Erebuni Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2012)

Ghettogloss, Los Angeles, CA (2010)
Royal/T, Los Angeles, CA (2009)
The Gallery in The Woods, Brattleboro, VT (2009)
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brattleboro, VT (2008)
Titmouse, Hollywood, CA (2008)
My Plastic Heart NYC, New York, NY (2008)
Bellevarado Studios, Los Angeles, CA (2008)
Copro Nason Gallery, Santa Monica, CA (2007)
The Gallery in The Woods, Brattleboro, VT (2007)
Live With Animals Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2006)
•Amerasia Bank Gallery, New York, NY (2005)
Zentralbuero Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2004)
Zakka, New York, NY (2004)
Future Is Now Gallery, New York, NY (2003)
The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, Santa Monica College, Los Angeles , CA (2003)
Culture Cache, San Francisco, CA (2002)
New Image Art Gallery, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA (2002)

AWARDS

•Winner of United Nations 75th Anniversary AR Peace Poster Competition, Futuring Peace, 2021
•A' Design Award Winner Print and Published Media Design, 2020

•A' Design Award Winner Mobile Technologies, Applications and Software Design Category, 2020
•Competition  War on VirusEmerald Award, 2020
•Altpick Awards, Illustration Series, Altpick New York, 2008
•Silver Awards, The Illustration West 41 Annual Awards, The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, 2013