Open Studio Cambodia - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Founded 2018
Open Studio Cambodia is an arts collective representing a group of Cambodian contemporary artists (currently seven Cambodian members) and was founded by Lauren Iida, Japanese American artist originally from Seattle, USA. Open Studio Cambodia mentors and commercially represents its members, provides free art supplies, framing, transportation, studio space, safe art storage space, website management, art documentation, full-time admin staff support, marketing (photo, video, written narrative, social media, etc), assistance with grant writing and scholarship application submissions, and access (marketing, payment, and shipping) to an international market. Open Studio Cambodia curates exhibitions domestically and internationally on an ongoing basis for its members as well as other emerging contemporary Cambodian artists.
2nd AVE Sign Project - Common AREA Maintenance - Seattle, Washington, USA
Installed April 2021
"When we began Common AREA Maintenance (CAM) 5 years ago, a 50+ year old illuminated sign hung empty and in disrepair above our Belltown storefront. So we rewired it with the dream of creating a public rotating exhibition to showcase local artists’ work. A couple of years later and with the support of our partners, the 2nd Avenue Sign Project was born.
Lauren Iida is a cut-paper artist whose many influences include her family’s Japanese-American heritage and incarceration during WWII and her experience living and working in Cambodia, where she lives part-time and founded Open Studio Cambodia (@openstudiocambodia ) an art collective serving emerging contemporary Cambodian artists."
Lauren Iida is a cut-paper artist whose many influences include her family’s Japanese-American heritage and incarceration during WWII and her experience living and working in Cambodia, where she lives part-time and founded Open Studio Cambodia (@openstudiocambodia ) an art collective serving emerging contemporary Cambodian artists."
“The Artist”, depicts a Japanese-American artist at work during a figure drawing session while interned at Tule Lake during World War II, inspired by a photograph Lauren found in Densho’s archives. “The Artist” is proof of art as both resistance and healing, and a means to maintain one’s identity and self-expression against oppressive circumstances."
"We are also pleased to announce that we have expanded this project to include another of Lauren’s paper cut works - “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” a 10 x 5 image of children playing the game of chance, also from a photo in the Densho archives, visible in our storefront. “I use the element of chance a lot [in my work]. The idea that everything in life could be changed at the drop of a hat, that there’s an element of unpredictability in life,” Lauren said about the piece in a conversation with artist/activist Erin Shigaki."
DENSHO Artist-in-Residence - Seattle, Washington, USA
Year-long residency, 2021
“I am very pleased and honored to be selected as one of Densho’s 2021 Artists in Residence. Densho’s extensive digital archives have been an essential part of my own exploration and research about the experiences of my Japanese American members before, during, and after WWII. Densho’s historical photos, oral histories, and educational tools have influenced my artwork enormously over my art career and provided endless inspiration for exhibitions and public art projects. Thank you for this opportunity.” -Lauren Iida
Day of Remembrance Caravan to Protest Northwest Detention Center
Tacoma, Washington, USA
February 21, 2021
Created large scale artwork for protest against inhumane conditions for asylum seekers detained at the Northwest Detention Center.
Artwork designed for protest signs featuring "Never Again is Now" message
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Signs on the fence at NWDC, including artwork by Michelle Kumata (left) and Densho 2021 artist-in-residence Lauren Iida (right). Pictured in the middle are placards bearing the names of the concentration camps where Japanese Americans were imprisoned during WWII, as well as one for the Northwest Detention Center. Photo by Natasha Varner.
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Federal Way Link Extension Mural - Federal Way, Washington, USA
Installed 2020
Commissioned for 12 panels in cut paper for reproduction in vinyl, 120 feet long for temporary installation around the construction site of the new Federal Way Sound Transit Station.
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"Public Art Comes to Your Front Yard" - Seattle, Washington, USA
(multiple locations)
2020
Funded by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and the Seattle Department of Transportation
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"These three new pieces are my response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has completely changed the world. “Ponder, Learn, and Create” are the titles of these three images and have been my personal mantra throughout this devastating experience. Isolation, anxiety, despair, depression are always knocking at our door as we watch societies of the world fumble to deal with this unprecedented and detrimental experience. The series consists of portraits of solitary figures sequestered at home. A teenage boy joins his classmates virtually, a woman silently encounters herself in the mirror, an artist creates in her home studio. These familiar scenes are from my personal home-isolation experience but I hope will be received universally as many find themselves house-bound around the world. My goal is that these three pieces of art on their public stage will create a moment for their viewers of beauty, hope, and recognition that our creative human spirit will see us through into better days ahead. "
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"Shoreline Banners" - Shoreline, Washington, USA
2016
Lauren Iida was commissioned to create two designs in cut paper for reproduction in plasma cut stainless brushed aluminum. They are permanently installed on light posts throughout the city of Shoreline, Washington.
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