IKEA — Artist Residency

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE. As part of IKEA’s global initiative, we transformed IKEA Harajuku into a creative hub by inviting local artists and influencers to take part in an exclusive in-store residency. Over the course of the festival, they were given free rein to hack and customize iconic IKEA products like the KALLAX shelf and BILLY bookcase, turning everyday storage into personal expressions of style and storytelling. The one-of-a-kind pieces were then raffled off to IKEA fans across Japan, blending creativity with community engagement.

Featured creators included fine artist Kentaro Okawara and vintage curator Yuka Mannami, each bringing their unique perspective to the canvas of IKEA design. The residency was live-streamed on both ikea.com and Instagram, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the artists' process—from sketch to final piece. As the shelves took shape, so did conversations around personal storage philosophies, creative routines, and the role of home as a space for self-expression. Produced for IKEA at W+K in Tokyo, Japan.