An interview with MAKIKO
Collaborating with MAKIKO since early summer 2021, we introduced a photography challenge to our mentees (ages ranging between 8 and 18) by providing them with disposable film cameras to shoot their everyday life.
The purpose of the photography challenge is to try to improve the mental health of the vulnerable children in the community in York, who are facing challenges in the post-Brexit, COVID-19 world, by these simple activities added to their on-going art sessions. One of their goals is to exhibit what they produce over the period.
Today we interview MAKIKO who is an international photographer and author on the Photo Challenge that she implemented into the charity with support and sponsorship by Arts Council England.
Why did you decide to start the Photo Challenge?
I am adventurous in nature and would enjoy going to unknown places to shoot what I see out there beyond my comfort zone. In early 2019, I was shooting melting glaciers in Iceland and I was planning to go back in early 2020 to shoot more, however, it was obviously suspended due to the pandemic. While being stuck in York, my interest has naturally shifted towards to the community I live in.
Although York was selected as the Best Place to Live by The Sunday Times in 2018, there have been lots of social issues that have affected the children. My interest in the issue comes from my own experience of exclusion and racism. It is very hard for people without direct exposure to know the real pain of this. I am a friend of The Island’s CEO, Nigel Poulton, and I realised that they have been overwhelmed by unprecedented numbers of referrals to support children who face mental challenges under these extreme circumstances. Nigel told me that they were starting art therapies early summer last year and I wondered whether there was anything I could contribute. Due to social restrictions, we tried sending in disposable cameras along with the Hampers of Hope as a pilot project. Then I applied for and won art grants from Art Council England to support this photo challenge – letting children capture their everyday life – as well as myself meeting with them and shooting “the scenes”. They are creating and publishing an artistic photobook featuring children in York in post-Brexit, COVID-19 world.
What have you personally learned from the project so far?
It is still at the early stage, however, I noticed that quite a few boys (early teen) seem to struggle to start it. I handed cameras to their parents in the hope they take something. One of the parents told me that her son might take only X-Box pictures but I think it is absolutely fine. Some mid-Primary children responded naturally. Interestingly, the images they took turned out to be rather optimistic – I am relieved. I would love to have more feedback from children and encourage more children to try. Just ask The Island for your camera!
Can you describe what feedback you have received from the children and young people that you are working with on the challenge?
When I visited one of the after school art activity sessions, I talked about them creating their own scene to be photographed. Some children immediately had an idea of a make-believe idea as a builder wearing his father’s work gear – I thought it was great! And he returned a camera full of his everyday life pics! How wonderful! One teen seems to like climbing up a wall or fence and asked me to photograph him jumping out from the fence! Later he returned cameras with shots taken at his home and a family gathering in the garden.
Do you have a photography that has been sent in that has resonated with you? If so, which photograph and why?
A photo shot in a child’s room with pink walls showing a white unicorn, a Fortnite book, some fidget toys, a game console, colourful photo frames, etc. (shown on www.makikophotochallenge.com). It is such a sweet pic. And I can imagine she has been doing lots of indoor stuff during lockdown – gaming, looking at a book, popping toys, etc. Obviously the toys went viral via TikTok and became popular items among children as they seem to sooth anxiety. This image probably was shot casually, however, it shows what were essential items for children among certain ages during the pandemic.
Another photo is the view from the window showing 3 children playing in the street. One of them is a wheelchair user. This image is subtle but heart-warming – our society should be more inclusive and kind to each other.
What do you aim to achieve by the end of the project?
First, The Island won to exhibit the photos the children took (are going to take until April next year) at York Open Studios 2022. I will keep supplying cameras as needed and hopefully children who received (are going to receive) cameras complete their rolls and return to The Island. I will continue to upload the best pics from each roll and they can see what they have done. Next spring we will celebrate what we have done. Everyone is welcome.
Another goal is myself to shoot images of children in the community. Whoever would like to show me what they treasure at home, create a new image of yourself in your comfortable place or even at a little space within The Island, show me your make believe moment or show what you dream of – I am quite open to any - please click here to get in touch with me or contact me on Instagram.
