Meet Moe Wakai

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Moe Wakai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Moe, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I’m not naturally resilient. I’m quite emotional, and I cry easily, often finding myself struggling to stand up for my own needs. I sometimes let others’ desires overshadow my own, which can be draining. I also tend to downplay my achievements and dwell on my mistakes, which affects my self-worth. For example, just earlier this month, I felt like I hadn’t achieved much this year. I hadn’t attended any artist residencies or shows and hadn’t applied for many opportunities. I told my partner I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything, and he responded with surprise. He listed the things he was proud of me for and reminded me of my progress.

It’s moments like these that show me where my resilience comes from. It’s not so much about my own inner strength but rather about the support I get from the people around me. They help me get back up when I trip, keep me facing forward, and encourage me to move one step at a time. Finding these supportive people has been a crucial part of my journey. They provide the encouragement and perspective that help me stay resilient, even when I feel fragile.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am an artist working at a contemporary art gallery in Mid-City. My works are photography and textile based. The most rewarding aspect of my career, currently, is being deeply immersed in the art world—surrounded by art, artists, directors, and curators, and having a community that surrounds the artwork. I worked a day job until early this year in a different field, which was enjoyable in itself, but does not compare to the joy of feeling fully submerged in the art scene in LA. Currently, I’m waiting to hear back from some photography competitions, and hope to share my work with a broader audience through this competition.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I’ve heard the phrase, ‘Luck is something you seize,’ and it’s something I’ve tried to keep in mind throughout my career. Yes, I did get lucky in starting a job at an art gallery, but that only happened because I kept applying even after facing dozens of rejections. Yes, I’m fortunate to have freelance work here and there, but those opportunities are the result of my consistent efforts to gain clients through online sites and referrals. Opportunities and acceptances will always involve an element of luck, but it is the consistent pursuit of those chances that makes them happen.

So, being consistent, proactive, and persistent are probably the three qualities I strive to maintain through the ebb and flow of life.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

My favorite book of all time has been a book called “What about the Rest of Your Life,” by Sung Yim. The book speaks about their experience growing up in United States as a Korean immigrant. I was crying my eyes out within the first 10 pages because I resonated with so much of what the book was talking about. I remember thinking, I want to make art like this book. I want to create something someone may look at and say, wow, I relate to this on a level that can’t be described.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://moewakai.com
• Instagram: @moe.wakai