Author: ANNI CHRISTENSEN
This month for InspiRed I interviewed my dear friend and talented artist Makana Holgerson! He is a third-year digital design major and film studies minor here at Seattle University. Originally from Alameda, CA, you can find him around campus coordinating events for Filmmakers Club, designing posters for Wellness and Health Promotion, and reading the stars with his friends.
Courtesy of Seattle U
ANNI CHRISTENSEN: When did you know you wanted to study art?
MAKANA HOLGERSON: As a kid, my parents encouraged me to do something I was passionate about. Like that I was definitely going to college, but I could study whatever I wanted. They probably weren’t the happiest when my sister studied communications and I studied art, but at least we’re happy! I got a lot of my drawing experience from stopping the VHS tapes and putting a piece of paper up to the TV, tracing different anime and Disney characters. I loved tracing Sailor Moon characters. That was formative for me. It may have stunted me as an artist because I was more reliant on tracing at the beginning, but what can ya do?
Logan Call
AC: What do you feel inspires you as an artist?
MH: I love people. I am an extrovert and I love characters. I love pretty people, I love ugly people, I love it all. It’s hard to explain but I get so much energy being around people. I usually work within the parameters of the human figure and I’ve really enjoyed exploring anthropology and sociology. In films and entertainment, I have always been fascinated by the characters. I think that the girl-power TV shows my mom and sister made me watch had a big impact on that. I think it’s what made me gay, honestly.
Amber’s Trip
AC: Have there been difficulties you’ve faced in your practice?
MH: Honestly, as a design student, I feel kind I’m in a dichotomy. I’m in this middle ground between making art that’s applicable in the real-world but also making content that is meaningful as art. I want to make content that both pleases me and is practical for my career. That has been tricky to navigate. It has also been hard to prioritize doing art in my free time. Like drawing outside of the work I’m doing for work and for classes. When I do have free time, I like to spend it with friends or consuming media, both of which are largely my sources of inspiration. It puts me in a weird cycle of thinking about it a lot and never prioritizing it
Rain, in Purple
AC: What do you want to accomplish with your work?
MH: I want to make an impact. I think the position I’m in is powerful and I can utilize representation in my design work. I want to present faces and stories that you don’t normally see. I think I’ve been doing this a lot in my work for Health and Wellness Promotion and I want to keep doing so. Like incorporating design elements to really make them beautiful. Overall, I want to make art that looks good, is unique, and tells stores that are worth talking about. I love telling stories that matter, visually.
somber earth
AC: Is there anything else you want me to include about you?
MH: I’m gay.
Makana is one of my favorite people; he is kind, welcoming, and probably one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. You should definitely keep an eye out for his work for Health and Wellness Promotion around campus and read the horoscopes he and the rest of Astroglam write for The Spectator. Here’s a link to more of his work portfolio and you should check out his Instagram too (@makanaing)!
ANNI CHRISTENSEN | Rise and GRIND | KXSU Arts Reporter