Anatomy and Ancient Sea Creatures Converge in Hiné Mizushima’s Felt Sculptures

From the spiral shells of prehistoric ammonites to uncanny depictions of organs and fish, Hiné Mizushima has a knack for combining cuteness and humor with the unusual and unseen. The Vancouver-based artist (previously) continues to create vibrant dioramas and wall sculptures that toy with textiles, anatomy, and taxidermy.

Using felt, sequins, embroidery thread, and yarn, Mizushima builds colorful displays of coral, animals, and botanicals. A mounted moray eel, for example, mimics a natural history display, showing a cutaway of its belly revealing a—rather lively—baby eel.

a felted diorama of little pink squid amid seaweed — “Squids”

Recently, the artist also sewed a series of brooches in the form of microscopic organisms like Daphnia and Paramecium and anatomical human organs. Nerves and blood vessels extend along the root and crown of a tooth, complete with a filled cavity.

Mizushima is currently preparing for a group show at Ranbu Gallery in Osaka this fall, plus another group exhibition at Beinart Gallery in Melbourne in early 2026. The artist looks forward to experimenting with some new craft techniques and focusing on her Etsy shop, where original pieces and prints are available for purchase. Explore more on her website, Instagram, and Behance.

a felted brooch in the shape of an anatomical tooth — Anatomical felt brooch

a felted sculpture of a moray eel with its anatomical cutaway belly showing a baby inside, mounted on a wood plaque — “Anatomical Moray Eel”

detail of a baby moray eel in an anatomical felt sculpture — Detail of “Anatomical Moray Eel”

a felted sculpture of a pink "phantom squid" mounted on a wooden plaque — “Phantom Squid”

a felted diorama of a blue-green ammonite creature amid coral-like structures — “Ammonite”

a felted brooch in the shape of an anatomical organ — Anatomical felt brooch

a felted sculpture of a two-headed creature with a turtle shell on its back, mounted on a wooden plaque — “Turtleback Twin Beasts”

a felted brooch in the shape of an anatomical heart — Anatomical felt brooch

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