Petroglyph Pin
Mike Bird-Romero

Referencing her Japanese identity and influences from her childhood, Mariko Kusumoto crafts elaborate miniature stage sets such as Byobu with multiple doors, moving parts, compartments, and drawers as well as the characters and props to inhabit them. They can be presented as closed boxes and containers, or opened and manipulated so that their stories “unfold.” Additionally, many elements are created in the form of brooches, necklaces, and bracelets that can be worn.