Folklore Studio
Kao Lee Thao (Lead Animation and Artwork)
Kao Lee Thao was still in her mother’s womb when her family fled Thailand in 1976. She is based out of Minnesota and is recognized for her work as an animator and an artist. Her work is inspired by Hmong folk tales and her dreams. The ever prolific Ms. Thao is always painting or animating. Recently, she was commissioned by the Minnesota Arts Commission to create twenty gouache paintings depicting Hmong folk tales, which was displayed at the Pioneer Press Gallery in collaboration with the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent. In early 2009, she received the honor of being selected in “The Critics’ Show,” where she was one of several artists selected out of a pool of hundreds of artists by art critic and editor Susannah Schouweiler to display her work at the Hopkins Art Center. Kao Lee was also chosen to create a highway billboard that speaks to the injustices of the remaining Hmong soldiers called Freedom Fighters from the “Secret War.”
Thao received her training from The Art Institutes International Minnesota in Media Arts and Animation. She has worked for clients such as Warner Brothers Network Affiliate, Ramsey Department of Health, and Coherence Resources, Inc. She won awards at the Showtime Alternative Media Festival and at Minnesota Electronic Theatre.
Ashle Kubesh
(Animation, Technical Director)
Her creative partner and technical director, Ashle Kubesh, has a background as a ceramist and potter in addition to his animation and artistic skills. He is a maker that blends artistic and technical. He started his artistic career creating fluid ceramic forms but wanted to combine new technological advancements and traditional sculpting techniques into a 3D stop-motion animation career.
His creations aspire to unite mediums by integrating the physical and digital worlds through imaginative presentations.
In 2004 he co-founded Folklore Studio a unique team of artists who strive to construct visually captivating concepts and innovative experiences for audiences. We combine vibrantly colored imagery and animation to transport viewers through storytelling.
