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The Centennial Student Union Gallery — in front of the Heart Lounge — is currently hosting “An Immigrant by Choice: What is My Role as an Artist and Educator?” an exhibition by ceramic artist and professor Mika Negishi Laidlaw.
The exhibition, which runs March 17-April 4, is part of the Douglas R. Moore Faculty Research Lectureship and presents deeply personal works reflecting Laidlaw’s experiences as an immigrant, artist and educator.
Laidlaw, born and raised in Kobe, Japan, explores themes of identity, memory and cultural transition through ceramics. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and her M.F.A. in Ceramics from Kansas State University. Since then, she has exhibited her work nationally and internationally, developing a storytelling-driven artistic style that connects her personal experiences to universal themes of resilience and belonging.
Many pieces in the exhibition are inspired by her time visiting her 87-year-old father in a Japanese hospital.
“Touching and making forms out of clay allows me to get in touch with the most honest feelings I have,” Laidlaw said. “I process the world around me by creating my work.”
The exhibition features several key works that symbolize personal and collective memories. “Hands = Kindness of People” speaks to her experience as a 16-year-old immigrant in the U.S., where she initially struggled with language barriers but also encountered kindness from strangers. “Pillow = Unconditional Love” pays tribute to her grandmother, who made flower-filled pillows for her as a child, embodying generational care and warmth. “Bones = Memory of Loved Ones” reflects on loss and gratitude, inspired by her family’s reverence for their ancestors.
In “Planting Memories,” Laidlaw draws from her father’s story — a man who abandoned his dream of becoming a painter to support his family. Now, as he spends most of his days in a hospital, Laidlaw wonders about the memories he carries in his sleep.
“Because my father’s takeaways from life’s events have been filtered through his optimism, I want to believe his brain is packed with his favorite memories,” she said. “I am also planting shared memories in my brain by making this work.”
Beyond personal narratives, Laidlaw hopes her work fosters connection among her audience, particularly those who may feel like outsiders.
“I believe in the power of storytelling. I tell my stories using clay,” she said. “I would be extremely grateful if my storytelling ended up making somebody who hasn’t had a chance to meet a lot of foreign friends feel slightly more comfortable or a tiny bit more connected with people who don’t look or sound like them.”
Through “An Immigrant by Choice,” Laidlaw invites viewers to reflect on their own identities, histories and the bonds that shape them. The exhibition’s themes of cultural transition, family and resilience offer a powerful message about belonging — one that resonates deeply in today’s globalized world.
The CSU Gallery is open to students and the public from 6:30 a.m to 11:00 pm. A lecture by Laidlaw will be held at 7 p.m. on April 1 in the Ostrander Auditorium, followed by a reception at 8 p.m.
Photo Caption: Mika Negishi Laidlaw’s “An Immigrant by Choice: What is My Role as an Artist and Educator?” exhibition will be on display in the CSU Gallery until April 4, with an open reception being held on April 1 in Ostrander. (Logan Schlosser/The Reporter)
Write to Simon Isaac at simon.isaac@mnsu.edu
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