About me
KEVIN COMBS (COMBSY)
Visual Artist · Projection Artist
San José, California | Lightwork@combsy.io
instagram.com/combsy
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work begins with light, but I am interested in what happens when light meets materials I cannot fully control. Using light, liquid, oil and dyes, I create temporary compositions shaped by movement and chance. I often begin with an idea, then let the materials introduce something unexpected.
I am drawn to the tension between control and unpredictability. A composition may exist for only a few seconds before it changes completely. Through live projection, I invite viewers to witness and sometimes participate in this process. Through photography and physical artwork, I preserve moments that would otherwise disappear.
My practice is rooted in curiosity and play. I want my work to encourage experimentation rather than require expertise; to give people permission to look closer, ask questions, and see ordinary materials in unfamiliar ways. Whether experienced as a projection, photograph, or physical object, each piece is an attempt to make a fleeting moment last just a little longer.
ARTIST BIO
Kevin Combs (Combsy) is a visual artist based in San Jose, California, whose work transforms light and liquid into dynamic, immersive experiences. Drawing from a background in stage design and live events, he creates pieces that blur the boundaries between perception and reality.
Years spent producing live events shaped his understanding of light as both a technical tool and an artistic medium. A rescued overhead projector later became the catalyst for his current practice, inspiring an ongoing exploration of fluid motion, analog projection techniques, and the unpredictable interactions between light and matter.
His multidisciplinary work spans live projection performances, interactive workshops and collectible physical pieces. Through both ephemeral projections and permanent creations, Combsy investigates transformation, perception, and the beauty of impermanence. Beyond his own practice, he regularly leads workshops and collaborates with art collectives to share projection art techniques and foster creative exploration within the community.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2026 - Stem Zone, Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA
2026 - 8th Anniversary Exhibition, Chopsticks Alley Art, San José, CA
2026 - Tech at Nite, The Tech Interactive, San José, CA
2026 - Foto Express, Empire 7 Studios, San José, CA
2025 - Maker Faire, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA — Makers Choice Award
2025 - Pancakes & Booze, Public Works, San Francisco, CA
2025 - Vanishing World, online exhibition
2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 - Airpusher, Burning Man, Black Rock City, NV
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS & PERFORMANCES
2026 - First Friday Art Walk - San José, CA
2026 - Maker Faire Bay Area - Light Work presentation & Workshop
2026 - SP2 - live projection collaboration with Airpusher Collective, San José, CA
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2025 - Makers Choice Award, Maker Faire, Mare Island, CA
WORKSHOPS & CREATIVE EDUCATION
2026 - Workshop Leader, Projection Techniques, Tech at Nite, The Tech Interactive, San José, CA
2026 - Workshop Leader, Lighting Experiments, Adobe Field Trip Day, Adobe Campus
COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Airpusher 501(c)3, Oakland, CA - Artist / Collaborator; participation in an Oakland-based nonprofit art collective focused on creative collaboration and experimentation.
National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) - Board Member.
Local Color 501(c)3, San Jose CA - Artist / Collaborator; participation in multiple community events and workshops focused on community engagement.
San José Creative Economy Fund - Grant Review Panelist - 2026 Participated in the review and evaluation of grant applications, panel discussions, and funding recommendations supporting San José's creative economy and local arts community.
ARTISTIC & TECHNICAL PRACTICE
Live projection performances and analog projector installations
Experimental light, liquid and movement processes
Lighting design and installations
Film and digital photography
Physical and collectible artworks
Workshop instruction and community arts facilitation
Audio production, DJing, and event MCing