Artist statement
Amina Kai is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose practice spans photography, film, and acrylic/ oil painting. Born in Baltimore, MD her creative foundation was shaped early through a Waldorf education and continued at arts-focused magnet middle and high schools. She later formally studied Photography at the Art Center College of Design in Southern California and fine arts at Irvine valley college Currently based in Tokyo, Amina continues to explore and integrate all three mediums, approaching color as an expressive language and film as a means of documentation.
About Me / My Journey
Hi! My name is Amina Kai. I’m from Baltimore, MD, and currently living in Japan. Film, photography, and painting are my first loves.
I’ve been in art school since middle school, where I studied the fundamentals of art. In high school, I focused on film and painting, and in 2018 I began my first year at ArtCenter College of Design in California, studying photography. I had always dreamed of living in California, so starting school there was exciting! In 2020, however, I paused my studies due to COVID.
During that time, I moved to Cotonou, Benin, where I lived for eight months. I spent much of that period photographing my daily life and created two short documentary-style films (both under one minute). These experiences deepened my love for documenting real moments and everyday environments.
I returned to California in early 2021, but I knew I wanted to live abroad again. I applied to an artist residency in Japan—another dream destination—and was accepted after much anticipation. The residency took place in Yokohama, where I stayed for three months. During that time, I worked on a painting project that is still ongoing and used the opportunity to go out and explore!
In 2022, I returned to California and began working full-time in the film industry. Until 2024, I worked as a background actor and personal assistant on film sets. I enjoyed the variety of environments and the constant sense of movement.
In 2023, I returned to school to study fine arts at Irvine Valley College, taking painting and drawing classes as a refresher. At the same time, I felt the pull to live abroad once more. I applied to a university in Tokyo and transferred to my current university in January 2025.
Have any questions? Head over to my Contact Me page — I’d be happy to talk!
— Amina Kai