About
Kuki Studios is the working studio of Minnesota artist Kuki. The work moves across mixed media, painting, drawing, textiles, objects, print, and digital work - whatever makes sense at the time.
There isn’t much separation between disciplines in the studio. Paintings get cut apart and sewn back together. Old work becomes material for new work. Drawing, painting, found objects, textiles, handwork, and digital processes tend to cross over. Some days it's all paint and thread; others is vinyl records and sound design.
The Work
Birds keep showing up. So do water, landscapes, strange little creatures, and things we probably don't have a category for yet.
Materials change from piece to piece. Paint and canvas are common, but so are thread, reclaimed materials, found objects, and whatever else ends up being useful. Some work takes weeks or months. Some gets left outside in the snow.
Most finished works are one of one. We also make occasional editions, prints, objects, and other studio releases.
The Studio
Kuki Studios is both a working studio and the place we sell the work. We release new pieces and collections as they're finished, along with occasional editions and other things that come out of the studio.
We also take on select commissions, private viewings, and collaborations.
Kuki Studios is operated by Alderfer & Smith, LLC, the creative company we founded together.
Portfolio | Selected Works
Since 2022
HTM.Whale
Multiple mediums
HTM.Whale was created somewhere in the blurry days that were the pandemic lockdown. The central character in an ever-expanding universe of strange worlds and wide open seas.
2024
Sunrise Cypress Bayou
48 x 60"
Sunrise Bayou is a reflection of the calmer memories of Kuki's youth. Vivid sunlight is broken up by the stark silhouettes of cypress knees and the trees they help sustain. Bold colors in acrylic and ink, textured canvas.
2024
Ten Thousand Stitches
50 x 62"
Named for the estimated total hand stitches the artist sewed into the painted and cut canvas, Ten Thousand Stitches is a meditation on past experiences, the changes we make, the wounds that heal, the ones that don't, and the threads that bind us all together.
2022-2024
Death & The Afterlife
50 x 38"
Mixed Media on Canvas.
A reflection on the afterlife traditions of modern & classical civilizations, Death & The Afterlife is just one rendering of Kuki's many visions of what "could be next." Painted from the perspective of a "new" soul, crossing the river toward judgement and the underworld, Afterlife is a multi-layered, mixed media work that incorporates multiple recycled materials, textures, and new finishes into one singular vision of just what might await us after the mortal body has been lost.
2021
Midnight Waterlilies
66 x 72"
Mixed Media on Canvas with hardwood frame, made by the artist
This deep blue meditation on beauty in darkness has served as the Kuki Studios' selfie wall since 2022. It was recently offered for public sale from The Studio's private collection.
2019
Atomic Tree (War Tree)
13.5 x 17"
Mixed Media on Canvas with hardwood frame, made by the artist
This reflection on the dark world we can sometimes create was a regional winner of the National Veteran Creative Art's Festival in 2019, it was lent to an exhibition at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis that fall. It has remained in The Studio's private collection since then. It is currently on offer in the studio Gallery.
2018
Weather the Storms
52" x 40"
Mixed Media on Canvas, Painted Hardwood Frame
A woman stands, heart exposed, back to the wind that is all the trouble she's seen in Life. This multilayered piece uses collected water, recycled textural materials, fresh and recycled paints and poly was the category Winner, 2019 National Veteran's Creative Festival. Exhibited again in 2022. Refinished & framed in 2024.
2018
Shinagawa Nights
48" x 24"
Transport yourself and your closest friends to the bright lights of Tokyo in the waning years of the 20th century, memories of a carefree adventure with friends and strangers just before the whole the world changed.
This mixed media on canvas piece was initially conceived in 2017, finished in 2024.
2018
Halloween Horror Mask
12 x 15 x 14"
Horror Mask was created for practical use at Scream Town haunted attraction. Inspired by classic American slasher films, the mask was part of a larger "murder monster" ensemble, including a blood-stained fur coat and walking staff covered in gore and recycled doll parts. Constructed of scrap metal, reclaimed wire, and other recycled materials with new ink & varnish, this uniquely wearable piece remains in the Studio private collection and is available for occasional loan.
