Karissa Narukami is a natural born artist from Richmond, BC, Canada, whose intuitive creativity seems without end.

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As an artist on a spectrum with a deeply detailed memory, she translates lived experiences, environments, and cultural narratives into intricate visual compositions that reflect how she sees and understands the world. Her art is rooted in observation and remembrance. Rather than working from photographs, Karissa often reconstructs places, events, and scenes from memory, revealing how moments are stored, layered, and emotionally experienced. This process transforms ordinary environments into deeply personal landscapes shaped by perception, feeling, and sensory awareness.
 

Her Filipino heritage also plays an important role in her artistic voice. Themes of community, belonging, and cultural pride appear throughout her work, reflecting both her roots and her life in Canada. Through her art, she bridges cultures and perspectives, offering viewers a window into both neurodivergent experience and diasporic identity.
Karissa’s practice invites audiences to reconsider how memory works, how different minds experience the world, and how art can communicate beyond words. Her work stands at the intersection of art, cognition, and cultural storytelling.

 

Karissa’s art pieces have been showcased three times in one-person exhibition in galleries, and numerous times with other local and international artists. Recipient of Top Visual Art Award, PWD Champion of Arts, nominated on Excellence Awards in Arts & Culture, Canada. Recognized her artistic achievement at Pinacotheque Museum, Luxembourg, Norval Morrisseau Awardee for Visual Arts. Showcased her artworks in one of the largest BMW dealership’s showrooms where her paintings perfectly complemented the beauty and innovation of BMW cars. Exhibited in Basel, Switzerland, and in Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France. Chosen to do the Logo by Vancouver Canucks Sports & Entertainment in Vancouver, Canada. She has received broad support for her works from the community, numerous recognitions from big organizations, Member of Legislative Assembly’s, Mayors, and most notably from the Premier of British Columbia.

 

She has made public works through ‘The Karissa Narukami Autism Foundation’, that addresses Free Art Classes for Children & Youth with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities around Metro Vancouver, Canada.
In 2024, Karissa expanded her global philanthropic footprint by spearheading a targeted feeding program in the Philippines, currently supporting 80 underserved children, alongside significant donations of art supplies. By organizing local art contest and monetary prizes, Karissa empowers the next generation to explore their creative potential. This effort reflects the core values of The Karissa Narukami Autism Foundation, demonstrating Karissa’s belief that art and empathy have no borders.

 

In a remarkable achievement, Karissa has achieved a historic milestone as her work is immortalized in space. Her additional contributions ‘Faded Rose ‘and ‘Bees & Berries’, completed “The Karissa Narukami Collection” destined for the lunar surface. These pieces are set to launch, no later than October 2026 (weather permitting) as part of the Codex Polaris on the NASA CLPS-TO-20A mission.

In 2025, Karissa’s paintings ‘Princhess Chieko’ and ‘Outpouring Blessings’ were chosen for the Codex Minerva. This collection, designed to be preserved in perpetuity on the lunar south pole, was launched in a time capsule and successfully landed on the Moon on March 6, 2026 via NASA CLPS-TO-PRIME-1 mission.

 

These projects preserves her work for future generations as part of a global record of human creativity. This distinction cements Karissa’s legacy as a visionary creator whose intricate, detail-oriented work is now part of a permanent ‘Heritage of Humanity’ in space.

 

Despite the challenges of Autism, Karissa Narukami has found solace and empowerment in her Art, and her pieces are a testament to her resilience, creativity, and individuality. She hopes that her work will inspire others to embrace their unique perspectives and find their own voice.