PERFECTLY IMPERFECT — NIKI TSUKAMOTO

There are those of us that thrive in the natural world, who are most at home in a wild meadow or an herbalists garden, working with the inherent magic of the great world turning to try and unlock the mysteries of this precious life. Then there are those of us who feel the call of the studio space, the gallery, the artist plugged into the electricity and creative capacity of city spaces. There are those whose chosen medium is thread or clay or pigment or healing or people and those who work in words or paper or the play of light and the billow of fabric. There are those of us who work best alone, and those who thrive on collaboration. Then there is Los Angeles-based artist Niki Tsukamoto who is all of the above.

With her partner and collaborator Yusuke, Niki (among other things) works with medicinally dyed cloth specifically colored to exacting meditative color frequencies, creating beautifully functional pieces that elevate consciousness. If it sounds radical, it's because it is. We chatted with Niki about the nature of color, the color of nature, and the ongoing practice of feeling like the most authentic version of yourself most all of the time.

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Niki wears the Standard Overall and Loose Crop Tee.

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What does living with color feel like?

Incredibly nourishing, having a constantly changing spectrum is so good for the body and soul. Color really is so healing. Right now we’ve been working on back to back art exhibitions and the studio is one big messy rainbow. It's always so much fun to make work for ourselves and just go wild with color. I love having all of the different plants around and boiling in pots.

What do plants teach you?

How to move slowly, to look and listen. To pay attention to season and allow for fallow periods and to bloom brightly only when I have the energy.

How does natural medicine play into your work?

It’s the basis of most of my work, I spent many years studying herbalism and the healing arts. When I’m dyeing fabric for clothing and art I’m usually considering ways of adding medicine to the mix. I utilize medicinal herbs and use specific colors wavelengths together to bring about a desired effect.

I work with clients to create specific medicinal dyes to help with skin ailments and spiritual and emotional disorders. I also still see a small amount of people for natural medicine and healing work. I recently released a medicinal balm that I created for my own skin that is packed with skin healing herbs and cbd.

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Niki wears the Audrey Shirt, Classic Tee, and Field Pant.

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How do you want to feel in your clothes?

Comfortable, but interesting.

How does that inform your personal style?

I like to layer and play with shape and silhouette. I love clothes with lots of possibilities. I tend to make my own clothes, so I normally start with the piece undyed and I add color over time.

When do you feel the most authentically yourself?

Most of the time. It’s a practice to live as authentically as possible. I have practiced embodied meditation most of my life and this focus is all about really moving through the world fully without spiritual bypassing.

What feels like home?

Being surrounded by friends. I have been blessed with the most wonderful, supportive family of friends. When we’re together anywhere feels like home.

Follow Niki on IG here and see more of her work here. Photos by Kacie Tomita.

Shop Niki's OZMA selects here.

We've collaborated with Niki on a small collection of Noren Panels made from thoughtfully sourced OZMA fabric remnants — view them here.

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