Seiko Atsuta Purdue

Seiko Atsuta Purdue is a Professor in the Department of Art at Western Washington University, specializing in Fibers/Fabrics. She holds a BFA from Kyoto Seika University (1992), an MA from Montclair State University, and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work bridges Eastern and Western artistic traditions through installations, textile techniques, and community engagement. Key areas include environmental art addressing climate change, cultural exchange via traditional Japanese crafts like shibori and kurume ikat, and global issues like labor and human rights. Notable exhibitions include Kumihimo Wishes: Current Times (2021) and Hyoga (Glacier) (2016). She received Second Prize at Scythia 5 (Ukraine) and organized participatory projects like Wishes for the Planet. Her research emphasizes handwork's role in connecting communities and environmental stewardship.

Education: BFA, Kyoto Seika University; MA, Montclair State University; MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Research Focus: Installation-based work using fiber materials to explore global warming, cultural identity, and traditional craft preservation. Recent projects include Meadow/Cluster (2021), critiquing environmental degradation through natural dye techniques, and Kurume Ikat in Northwest (2018), showcasing Japanese textile mastery in North America. Her Bullet Cloth series juxtaposes destructive and growth-oriented symbols.

Exhibitions span international venues including the Whatcom Museum, Seattle Art Museum, and Lithuania's Kaunas Biennial. She co-curated Fabric of Identity (2007) and led residencies like the Udatsu Papermaking Residency. Ongoing work emphasizes community-driven art to foster global connections.