Touch Me, Don’t Forget Me is an ongoing project by Elena Kirby and Masumi Rodriguez. The project considers the use of “invasive species” in material-making as a way to build relationships with these plants and the land where they have been collected. As we work with these materials we ask ourselves: what are the conceptual, methodological and ethical implications of using “invasive species” as a source of material? This ongiong research involves and collaborate with stewardship groups, ecologists, land-workers, human geographers, and artists to be in conversation with the nuances that are prevalent in the relations we hold with these characterized plants.

Artist-Duo CV

Education

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY Fibre Material Practices Major | Montreal | 2022-2025 | Masumi Rodriguez
ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN UNIVERSITY Sculpture Major| Toronto | 2017-2025 | Elena Kirby

Exhibitions

TUNNEL MOUND COMEBACK, upcoming solo-exhibit at the plumb Gallery | Toronto | [JULY] - [AUGUST] 2025
SLOW STREET, solo-exhibit at Studio 13 Fine Art | Vancouver | [MAY] 2024
AFTER HOURS, installation at KAMI HAKU: Ino-cho Paper Museum presented by Washi+ AiR | Kochi, Japan | 2023

Residencies

THE PLUMB | Toronto, Canada | 2025
GUAPAMACÁTARO ART & ECOLOGY | Michoacan, Mexico | [DECEMBER] 2024 - [JANUARY] 2025
TISAMJORT | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | [JANUARY] 2024
WASHI+ | Kochi, Japan | [JUNE] 2023 - [JANUARY] 2024

Workshops

PAPER LABS 2.0 at the plumb Gallery | Toronto | 2025
PROCESSING MOUND at the plumb Gallery | Toronto | 2025
OBJECT PUPPETRY with Shizuka Kai at Touchstone Theatre | Vancouver | 2025
WASHI+ PAPERMAKING at Japanese Language School | Vancouver | 2025
PAPER LABS [TIOHTIÀ:KE] at Atelier Retailles | Montreal | 2024
PAPER LABS [TKARONTO] at Evergreen Brick Works | Toronto | 2024
PAPER LABS [VANCOUVER] at Arts Factory | Vancouver | 2024
ENGLISH IVY PAPERMAKING with Free the Fern Community Co-op | Vancouver | 2024
AiR PAPERMAKING WORKSHOP at tiSamjort | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | 2024
KARAMUSHI PROCESSING with Washi+ | Kochi, Japan | 2023

Presentations

UNIVERSITE DU QUEBEC A MONTREAL facililtated by Dr. Ira Tanya Handa | Montreal | 2024
AGM FORUM Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver | Vancouver | 2024

Press

MINNOW MAGAZINE “Paper Labs” written by Victoria Bao Wang | Isuue 2 | 2025

Awards

Canada Council of the Arts Grant: Explore and Create Grant, Research and Creation | TMDFM | 2025
Ontario Arts Council: Visual Artists Creation Project | TMDFM | 2025
Conseils des Arts et des Lettres Quebec: Exploration and Research, Arts and crafts | TMDFM | 2024
Canada Council of the Arts Grant: Explore and Create Grant, Research and Creation | 2024
Canada Council of the Arts Grant: Explore and Create Grant, Professional Development | 2024
Canada Council of the Arts Grant: Explore and Create Grant, Research and Creation | 2023

Collaborative Projects

Thatness & Thereness with Shion Skye Carter and Mayumi Lashbrook | Toronto | 2025
ORGANIMA “KSHA-KSHA” with Nik Arthur and Emi Takahashi | Montreal | 2024
Dog Strangling Vine with Toko Hara | Montreal | 2024
TMDFM:RESEARCH ON THE CONTEXT OF INVASIVE SPECIES with Kihan Yoon-Henderson | Vancouver | 2024

Land Stewardship Organization Affiliation

Les Amies de Montagnes | Montreal | 2024 - Present
Toronto Nature Stewards | Toronto | 2024 - Present
Invasive Species Council Metro Vancouver | Vancouver | 2024