About
Yamako (b. 1990, London) is an artist, illustrator, and occasional creator of janky 2-d stop motion animations based in London, United Kingdom.
A dedicated and passionate drawer of animals since childhood, Yamako studied a fine art foundation at Central St Martins. However, concerns about graduate employment prospects led her to reconsider pursuing a full-time art degree.
She subsequently trained and qualified as an occupational therapist, working across various front-line and psychiatric services.
Throughout the past fifteen years, Yamako has continued to paint and experiment creatively outside of her full-time career. Her artwork gradually gained recognition online in late 2023, which has since allowed her to pursue art full-time.
Her works primarily depict anthropomorphic animals engaging in a range of scenarios—real or imagined—from the inconsequential to the humorous and the bleak and surreal. She sees these animals as visual representations of the fleeting mental chatter that passes through her mind. She also believes in creating art that is fun for its own sake.
Yamako approaches her work in a spontaneous manner, describing her mind as quite busy with many competing thoughts.
Coming from a family with musical and fashion traditions, she credits much of her artistic inspiration to music. Although she does not play instruments, she appreciates a well-designed asymmetric jumper