Leilani Derr
She/Her
Leilani Nobuko Derr is a multi-media visual artist who explores thought-provoking themes of belonging, cultural connections, and empowerment through whimsical illustrations. She draws inspiration from an interweaving of her multi-cultural “hapa” upbringing, relentless curiosity, and power of artist advocacy.
She received her BA at Coastal Carolina University where she pursued graphic design and printmaking. Since moving to Colorado in 2010, Leilani has spent much of her creative career designing in branding agencies and marketing departments for which she has been the recipient of multiple ADDY and SPJ awards.
Her passion for public art expanded during her decade of work as Creative Lead of Art and Design in Adams County, Colo. public libraries. While working as a designer for the seven branch district north of Denver, she specialized in art direction and helped to launch community art initiatives, partnering with local artists and organizations.
Most recently she has been focusing on surreal, illustrative multi-media projects exploring her journey to seek belonging and identity as a Japanese-American artist and what manifests when those connections are diminished through assimilation, racism, objectification, and confusion. Her saturated hues tend to vibrate next to each other and are intentionally ambiguous as a reflection of the vague spaces she often falls between with her cultural and racial identities.
