Kazumi Tanaka (b. Osaka, Japan, 1962) creates a fantastical musical instrument out of the skull of a coyote, and her work is a reminder in the ancient and central role bones, both animal and human, have played in the making of music. Tanaka’s history of being raised in Japan deeply informs her practice. The artist grew up in a house evocative in her mind for its use of materials, alternating made wood, stone, bamboo and paper. Tanaka moved to New York City in her 20s to continue her work as an artist, and her conceptually complex woks involve her childhood memories of Japan. The artist says, “My evocative work addresses the connection between the ephemeral nature of memory and the tangible mementos of history. It is a continuous search filtered through time and distance.” Tanaka’s recognition of the inherent beauty of the coyote skull is reminiscent of the powerful desert skull paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe merged with more whimsical creations, such as Pablo Picasso’s Bull's Head, 1942, a found object artwork formed from the seat and handlebars of a bicycle. Tanka finds the “hidden music” that can be drawn out in any object, to create a playable work of art, both eerie and charming.