Donate
alumni directory

Kenzie Housego

Kenzie Housego Alumni Directory Profile Image

Print Media

Artist & Multimedia Technologist | Gallery Coordinator with AFA · BFA · Class of 2009

www.kenziehousego.com/

I'm a multidisciplinary artist, working at the intersection of textiles, technology, and community. My practice explores how care, intimacy, and identity get shaped by data and digital systems, and I love pairing handcrafted techniques like embroidery and crochet with responsive electronics and AI. My work has been presented at over 20 national and international festivals and exhibitions, including a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta, group exhibitions at CURRENTS New Media Festival in Santa Fe, and the Curiosity Festival in Dublin. My work is held in the permanent collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

I'm also an arts administrator with over 13 years of experience in galleries, community engagement, and partnership development. I've contributed to more than 150 exhibitions, supporting curatorial planning, installation, and promotion at venues including the AFA art house Gallery, Art Gallery of Calgary, Contemporary Calgary, and Ruberto Ostberg Gallery.

This summer I'm launching Pocket Art Machine, a community art project funded by Calgary Arts Development that places small vending machines stocked with affordable original work, stickers, art cards, zines, mini pottery, and more, all priced between $1 and $25, in everyday spaces around the city.

Website: pocketartmachine.ca
Instagram: @pocketartmachine

I hold a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts, and a diploma in Arts and Culture Management from MacEwan University. I live and work on Treaty 7 Territory, in Mohkinstsis/Calgary.

I❤️U - Art Gallery of Alberta Exhibition I❤️U blends embroidery with digital technologies to explore how flirting and courtship have changed over time. I❤️U simultaneously investigates the social meanings of flowers, embroidery patterns and emojis in text and sexts. Her textile-based practice combines technological components to create interactive works that both sense and communicate with visitors to the exhibition. Some of the work will react when visitors come close to them and others have phone numbers that you can text.
EmojiBot Embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller, textiles, 36” x 36” Emoji Bot has a phone number that viewers can text that is connected to a chatbot that responds to viewer’s texts, via their phone. Emoji Bot communicates only with emojis. Creating real-time communication between artwork and viewer.
SelfieGuys Selfie Guys, Embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller, textiles, 36” x 36” 12 embroidered male figures taking selfies with LEDs placed on each figure’s cell phone camera. These LED trigger a light effect, mimicking cell phone camera flashes, through a movement sensor. Part of the Alberta Foundation for the Art Collection.
FlirtBotDetail (Devil Emoji Video) by Gabrielle Odowichuk & Kenzie Housego, Embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller textiles, 36” x 36” A phone number is connected to a chatbot, that interprets the texts sent to it and sends back a text to viewers via their cell phone. These messages relate to emoji animations displayed on the artwork’s LED screen. Animations include pink hearts, winky faces, angry faces, smiley faces, fire, and purple devil emojis.

Kenzie Housego's Work

Kenzie Housego's Work
I❤️U - Art Gallery of Alberta Exhibition I❤️U blends embroidery with digital technologies to explore how flirting and courtship have changed over time. I❤️U simultaneously investigates the social meanings of flowers, embroidery patterns and emojis in text and sexts. Her textile-based practice combines technological components to create interactive works that both sense and communicate with visitors to the exhibition. Some of the work will react when visitors come close to them and others have phone numbers that you can text.
Kenzie Housego's Work Circular embroidered textile artwork with a glowing LED display showing two pink heart emojis on a lace-patterned background.
EmojiBot Embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller, textiles, 36” x 36”

Emoji Bot has a phone number that viewers can text that is connected to a chatbot that responds to viewer’s texts, via their phone. Emoji Bot communicates only with emojis. Creating real-time communication between artwork and viewer.
Kenzie Housego's Work Circular embroidered artwork depicting twelve figures taking selfies, each illuminated by LED lights that mimic smartphone camera flashes.
SelfieGuys Selfie Guys, Embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller, textiles, 36” x 36”

12 embroidered male figures taking selfies with LEDs placed on each figure’s cell phone camera. These LED trigger a light effect, mimicking cell phone camera flashes, through a movement sensor. Part of the Alberta Foundation for the Art Collection.
Kenzie Housego's Work Circular embroidered artwork with a bright LED display showing a purple devil emoji against a lace-patterned textile surface.
FlirtBotDetail (Devil Emoji Video) by Gabrielle Odowichuk & Kenzie Housego, Embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller textiles, 36” x 36”

A phone number is connected to a chatbot, that interprets the texts sent to it and sends back a text to viewers via their cell phone. These messages relate to emoji animations displayed on the artwork’s LED screen. Animations include pink hearts, winky faces, angry faces, smiley faces, fire, and purple devil emojis.

This site may contain artworks with provocative content that some viewers may find uncomfortable or upsetting. AUArts supports a culture of non-censorship and ongoing conversations about contemporary art.