Mariko’s “Mood Cards” project was a response to her depression and daily struggles with her fluctuating emotions. Each day, a randomly drawn card was transformed into a small mixed media work, according to her mood that day. The large playing cards symbolise the lack of control she felt over her emotions, while the exercise itself acted as a form of both self-expression and art therapy. Through works like this, Mariko hopes to help tackle the stigma associated with mental illness.