Haruka Aoki

Haruka Aoki (she/ they) is a Japanese artist, poet, and award-winning illustrator residing on Canarsee (Munsee Lenape) land, commonly known as Queens, New York. Her work aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as her hand-drawn characters engage the world around them.

As a child of Japanese parents who travelled around the world, often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka found and continues to find comfort in nature, a constant starting point in her work. By exploring nature and the metaphysical realm as an accessible space to heal, they are processing the deep-rooted complexities of life and death as a human being, while reminding people, “you are not alone.”

Her first children book "Fitting In" is published by Sky Pony Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster. They received a BA from Brown University and subsequently a masters from Pratt Institute.