Kelly Tapia-Chuning (b. 1997, California) is a mixed Xicana artist of Indígena descent, living and working between Utah and Montana. Her multidisciplinary practice involves genealogical and historical research, textile appropriation and deconstruction, and large-scale needle felting. Through her work, Tapia-Chuning critically examines histories of assimilation and the power dynamics related to cultural and racial identity, gender, and language.

Tapia-Chuning received an MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art and was awarded a Gilbert Fellowship. She is the 2023 recipient of CAA’s Professional Development Fellow in Visual Arts Award. Tapia-Chuning’s work has been included in exhibitions with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, The Shepherd (MI), Kimball Art Center (UT), GAVLAK (LA), Cranbrook Art Museum (MI), Eric Firestone Gallery (NYC), Onna House (NY & FL), among others. Upcoming exhibitions include the 18th International Triennial of Textile in Łódź. Tapia-Chuning was an artist in residence at Stove Works (TN), and her work has been featured in Artnet News, Southwest Contemporary, Surface Mag, and Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine. Tapia-Chuning’s work is held in numerous private and public collections across the US, including Cranbrook Art Museum, The Bunker Artspace, Onna House, the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
Tapia-Chuning received an MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she was awarded a Gilbert Fellowship, and is the 2023 recipient of CAA's Professional Development Fellow in Visual Arts Award. Tapia-Chuning's work has been included in exhibitions with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Kimball Art Center (UT), GAVLAK (LA), Cranbrook Art Museum (MI), Eric Firestone Gallery (NYC), Onna House (NY & FL), among others, with solo exhibitions with Red Arrow Gallery (TN) and Harsh Collective (NYC). Tapia-Chuning has been an artist in residence at Stove Works (TN) and Zion National Park (UT). Her work has been featured in Artnet News, Southwest Contemporary, Surface Mag, Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine, Artsin Square, and Friend of The Artist. Tapia-Chuning's work is held in numerous private and public collections across the US, including: Cranbrook Art Museum, The Bunker Artspace, Onna House, the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.