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
Artist Residencies
GUAPAMACÁTARO ART & ECOLOGY | Michoacan, Mexico | [DECEMBER] 2024 - [JANUARY] 2025
TISAMJORT | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | [JANUARY] 2024
WASHI+ | Kochi, Japan | [JUNE] 2023 - [JANUARY] 2024
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
Workshops | Presentations
Invited Speakers at UQAM facililtated by Ira Tanya Handa | Montreal | [NOVEMBER] 2024
PAPER LABS [TIOHTIÀ:KE] free public workshop at Atelier Retailles | Montreal | [AUGUST] 2024
PAPER LABS [TKARONTO] free public workshop at Evergreen Brick Works | Toronto | [JUNE] 2024
Invited Speakers at the AGM Forum for Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver | Vancouver | [MAY] 2024
PAPER LABS [VANCOUVER] free public workshop at Arts Factory | Vancouver | [MAY] 2024
TMDFM WORKSHOP free public papermaking workshop at tiSamjort | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | [JANUARY] 2024
Awards | Distinctions
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
ORGANIMA “KSHA-KSHA” collaborative project facilitated by Nik Arthur, in collaboration with Emi Takahasi,
Elena Kirby, Masumi Rodriguez | 2024
PAPER LAB [MONTREAL] collaboration with Atellier Retailles | Montreal | [AUGUST] 2024
PAPER LAB [TKARONTO] collaboration with Toronto Nature Stewards | Toronto | [JUNE] 2024
PAPER LAB [VANCOUVER] collaboration with ISCMV | Vancouver | [MAY] 2024
TMDFM:RESEARCH ON THE CONTEXT OF INVASIVE SPECIES with Kihan Yoon-Henderson | Remote | [FEBURARY-APRIL]
2024