ABOUT

Heidi Kumao creates video, machine art, and installations to explore ordinary social interactions and their psychological undercurrents. Emerging from the intersection of sculpture, theater and engineering, her work demonstrates how small gestures, even the most private and poetic, can become political acts. Her work has been exhibited at Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona, San Jose Museum of Art, Museo de Arte Moderno, Buenos Aires and numerous other venues worldwide. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Creative Capital grant and others. She is a Professor in the School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

INSTAGRAM

Sound ON. Animating my favorite character from a new piece—frame by frame. Fabric, thread and other bits animated on a homemade light table. #stopmotionanimation #experimentalanimation #lighttable #downshooter #realaudio #workinprogress #framebyframeanimation #handmadeanimation
“Session”, 2025. New piece. Fabric and thread on felt. #couplescounseling #textileart #fabricartist #drawingwiththread #narrativefabricart #marriage #relationship #fabriccutouts #couplestherapy
My piece “Safe and Sound” (fabric on felt) will be on display at the #Kresge Foundation offices in #Detroit from Jan 2025-Dec 2026 as part of their “Art in the Office” program. Photo by Peter Gahan, Detroit Art Specialists #textileart #fabricart #hierarchy #artaboutpower #fabriccutouts #fiberartist
#houses #neighbors #energy #couple #fabriccutout #freemotion #stitching #drawingwiththread #textileart #fabricart #improvsewing
This fabric piece (#Expectations) is also on view at @almagallery_cgo in #chicago until April 1. . . . #textileart #fabricart #narrativefabricworks #moderntextiles #narrativeart #fabriccutouts #artaboutdeath
Started a new quilt at our @a2mqg retreat this weekend. Kinda modern design-y. More to come. #curvyquilt #quartercirclequilt #improvquilting #makeitupasigo
Opening tonight in Chicago: group show at Alma Gallery 5-9 pm, 3636 S Iron st @almagallery_cgo Featuring: Alexis Petroff, Heidi Kumao, Katy Kirbach, Michael Dain, Noel Morical, Yutian Liu.
Chicago Opening tonight! @almagallery_cgo Alma Gallery 3636 S. Iron St, 5-9 pm See you there! “Warming House” group exhibition curated by @eburkedain. Artists: Alexis Petroff, Heidi Kumao, Katy Kirbach,Michael Dain, Noel Morical & Yutian Liu
Cleaned up my garage for a studio visit. Getting ready to pack a lot of stuff up for Chicago show. For a lot of my art life, I’ve made things that I am passionate about but are not easy for people to buy/collect ( video, installations, kinetic sculpture). It’s interesting to experience a different side of things with this 2d fabric work.
Wrote a little remembrance of my time working & sharing a studio w/Beatriz da Costa (Shani) for the recent posthumous show/catalog of her work, “Beatriz da Costa:(un)disciplinary tactics” @welcometolace currently up in LA. Publication on @mitpress I worked with her on a couple different projects (“Zapped” and “Nomadika”) in the early 2000s when we were both at @cmuschoolofart —-Ah, the good ole days!
Had the most incredible time as an #artistinresidence in Washington state. So soothing and productive-it’s what I’ve needed for a long time. How can I move there?! Cycling to see Mt Rainier, kayaking in the water w/seals, admiring the incredible dahlias, working working on a new animation. Total bliss. @vashonartistresidency
Sound ON…First in a series of very short shorts in which different objects free themselves of their contents. #experimentalanimation #stopmotionanimation #framebyframe #photobooth #portrait #startingfresh #freeyourself #cutouts #photoboothphotos #relationshipart #separation
Loading the next set of instagram posts...
Load more...

NEWS & EVENTS

Go to Top