The exhibition will run from 17th February to 2nd March at art’otel London Hoxton…
The event is described as ‘A bold underwater film and multimedia exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Makiko Harris that explores Fate, Feminism, and the Power of Connection’.
Towering needle sculptures, dancers entwined in brilliant red rope, and a captivating underwater setting converge in Needle Dance, the latest work by American-Japanese artist Makiko Harris.
This five-minute conceptual art film is premiering from 17th February to 2nd March at art’otel London Hoxton. The film and corresponding sculpture and two-dimensional artwork exhibition is co-presented in collaboration between art’otel and Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery which represents Harris.
Needle Dance was created in collaboration with Director Peter Gray (renowned as a prolific and imaginative image-maker, contributing to editorial shoots for a range of luxury and style titles including Italian, American and British Vogue, Harperʼs Bazaar), Costume Designer Deborah Milner (noted for her sculptural and innovative couture, she also consulted for Alexander McQueen realising some of his most iconic showpieces) and Composer and Executive Producer Carlos Basilisco. The ambitious violin score that accompanies the film was also co-composed and performed by Harris.
Makiko’s work delves into the interplay of autonomy, fate, and desire, continuing her far-reaching exploration of contemporary feminist identity.
Makiko Harris, an interdisciplinary artist exploring themes of feminism, identity, and desire, has earned significant recognition for her work across painting, moving image, sculpture, and sound. Her first artist film premiered at Tate Modern in 2023 as part of the Tate Lates series, a significant milestone that signalled her rapid rise in the international art scene.
Harris has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Grand Prize at The HIGH Prize for Excellence (2023), receiving a grant from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (2022), and residencies such as PADA Portugal (2024) and the Buinho Creative Residency (2022).
A finalist for the Ingram Prize in 2024, her sculpture Sewing Needle 2 (Black and Gold) earned critical acclaim. Her work is held in private collections worldwide, and in 2024 was placed in the permanent collection of The Bunker Museum, Florida. She has exhibited across the U.S., UK, Japan, Canada, Austria, Singapore, and Germany, with notable solo exhibitions. Her work has been featured in the HIGH Fashion Collection (2023) and in the San Francisco Symphony’s 2021–2022 season campaign, highlighting her dynamic presence across the arts and cultural sectors.
Needle Dance marks Harris’s second solo exhibition, following the critically lauded Lacquered Rebellion at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (2023). Harris has rapidly gained recognition for her fearless embrace of media—from painting and sculpture to moving image and sound.
“I wanted to honour my lineage and ancestors while still forging my own path. Growing up, I watched my grandmother—a woman with almost no choices—express her agency through sewing. Inheriting her needles made me realize how creative expression can thrive even when opportunities are limited. To me, these needles became symbols of womanhood and creative power.
“Making them the size of weapons captures the tension between fate and autonomy—it’s always a struggle to honour the people you love while defining your own path. But the needle can also be a tool for repair and forgiveness, echoing Louise Bourgeois’s idea that it’s meant to mend rather than harm. For me, that kind of hope is at the heart of this film.” – Makiko Harris
Exhibition Details
Title: Needle Dance | Artist: Makiko Harris
Dates: 17th February – 2nd March
Venue: art’otel London Hoxton (Cinema & Gallery Spaces) | Visit: https://artotellondonhoxton.com/
