Sly Morikawa is an artist and photographer whose dreamlike images explore intimacy, desire, and the contrasts of human experience. Her work often engages with themes of sex, subculture, and self, balancing beauty with tension. Since 2020, she has published ten books with international publishers and exhibited worldwide in cities including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Sydney, and Manchester. In 2023, she was nominated for the Dazed 100 list. She currently lives and works between Sydney and Tokyo.
At what age did you start your photography practice, and what made you pick up a camera in the first place?
I’ve been interested in photography since I was a teenager, but there wasn’t really a specific time or age where it all started. I enrolled in a photography degree in 2011 after graduating high school and I ended up dropping out after the first semester. I spent the first half of my 20’s fucking around, trying to learn how to exist as a young adult, trying to find my purpose. It wasn’t until 2017-2018 that I began to explore photography as a practice. It was very casual, it always has been - mostly taking photos of friends and beautiful scenery. I’d say from 2020 onwards I started taking myself and photography as a career path more seriously. It’s been a slow burn.
I love cameras for their ability to capture and preserve a moment in time, that’s what made me pick up a camera in the first place. I’m a painfully sentimental person, I’ve always been drawn to beauty, memory, history, documentation. Looking at a single image can make you contemplate everything that led to that moment and consider everything that may come after, it’s so powerful.
How has your family and upbringing influenced who you are as an artist?
I grew up in suburban Sydney and used to spend hours online or looking at magazines to escape the boredom that I felt as a teenager stuck somewhere I didn’t want to be. This is where I first started exploring subcultures. I was heavily influenced by my three older brothers at the time, especially with their taste in films, cars, and music.
I think my mum has influenced me a lot, for her perspective and appreciation for creativity and story telling. She’s observant, deeply sentimental, and curious by nature, and I’ve inherited those characteristics from her. Or I’m becoming her. My family and cultural ties to Japan are strong because of my mum. My connection to the motherland has shaped a lot of my work in recent years.
Describe your favourite place in Sydney without telling us where it is.
A long stretch of road by the water.
Describe your favourite place in Tokyo without telling us where it is.
Forests, mountains, rivers.
What makes you feel confident in putting your work out into the world?
I think it’s less about confidence for me and more of a compulsion. I just feel the need to shift my creative energy outwards, if I don’t act on it the stagnancy drives me insane.
What is your favourite way to share your images to the world?
(Books, exhibitions, blog style etc.)
I don’t necessarily have a favourite because they all serve a different purpose. I love the physicality of making books and zines, having an item that you can hold and cherish and share with others. Exhibitions are cool in the way they open up the possibilities of how your work can be displayed, and having the opportunity to meet people at openings feels very special to me. I know a lot of people hate on IG but I really do appreciate it for how easy it is to share your work and connect with other people on there. We’re so lucky to live in a world with this much accessibility.
Do you think it really matters what camera and film type you use?
I don’t think it matters, but on some level it needs to be taken into consideration, say if you’re trying to achieve a particular look.
Favourite photographers of all time, past or present?
I’ll always love the Japanese masters of photography, Masahisa Fukase, Daido Moriyama, Issei Suda, Nobuyoshi Araki, Takuma Nakahira, countless others. I love Hiromix, Dash Snow, Richard Kern, Ren Hang, Larry Clark, Nan Goldin. But I mean who doesn’t love these photographers, this feels too obvious an answer. I don’t think I can pick any favourites. Some photographers I love for their energy, others for their discipline, others for their overall context.
Are there any artists based in Sydney — from any discipline — whose work is currently exciting or inspiring you?
There’s so many good artists in Sydney right now. My friend Siena took me to Bridget Stehli’s show at Nasha recently and it really stuck with me, love her work. Brodie Cullen is fresh too, shoutout to him.
I’m constantly inspired by my friends - JAEZO, worldwide superstar; Mia Kidis, queen of videos; Harley Jones for his illustrations and knowledge; Pheazy who’s been tattooing my leg sleeves, I love his technicality; Jack Mannix for his dreamy documentations; Jason Phu for his mad genius; Shady Nasty for their music and commitment to their vision.
Are there any major themes or recurring ideas that you explore in your photography?
Sex, subculture, and self. The balance of dark and light, sensitivity and toughness, beauty and tension, stillness and chaos.
Best advice for young photographers?
There’s no need to chase perfection. Take the time to live your life and experience the world as fully as you can - this will sharpen your instincts, and provide endless guidance and inspiration. Put in the hours and your style and vision will naturally develop. Never underestimate the value of authenticity.
Sly Morikawa in conversation with Magnolia Minton Sparke and shot by Viru Helaratne