Gina Takaoka was born and raised in Southern California. She currently lives in the DC area, where she is earning her MFA at the University of Maryland in College Park. She spent her late teens and early twenties studying art in college and building a career as a tattoo artist. Her personal experiences with moving frequently, as well as her work as a tattooer, helped to cultivate an interest in the poetic intersections between history, memory, and place. These three themes currently drive her artistic research. Often drawing from maps and satellite images, she uses a range of analogue and digital processes to create contemplative works which invite viewers to examine their relationships with time and place.
CV/Resume
gina.takaoka@gmail.com
EDUCATION
2016-2019 MFA (Studio Art), University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2012-2016 BFA (Drawing and Painting-Magna Cum Laude), California State University Fullerton, CA
2013 Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA (studied Renaissance Art in Florence, Italy)
2009-2012 Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016-present Laboratory Gallery Co-Coordinator, College Park, MD
2016-present Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2015-2016 Creative Expression Group Coordinator, Newport Academy, Orange, CA
Creative Expression Group Coordinator, AKUA Behavioral Health, Newport Beach, CA
2015 Intern, Linea Spazio Arte Contemporanea (assisted with selection of applicants for Florence Biennale),
Florence, Italy
2014-2015 Teaching Assistant, California State University Fullerton, CA (2D Design, 3D Design)
2014 Intern, Form:uLA Dimension Laboratory (assisted with the installation of architect Bryan Cantley’s solo
show at SCI-Arc), Fullerton, CA
2011-present Tattoo Artist, Routine Tattoo, Fountain Valley, CA
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2016 VIP College and Career (CalPREP) Mentor, Currie Middle School, Tustin, CA
2008-2015 Senior Volunteer/Volunteer Coordinator, The Lynn House, Costa Mesa, CA
AWARDS
2016 Semi-Finalist: Future of Information Alliance Seed Grant
EXHIBITION RECORD
2016 Group Exhibition, Primordial States, Herman Maril Gallery, College Park, MD
2015 Solo Exhibition, At Some Times and In Some Places, Exit Gallery, Fullerton, CA
Group Exhibition, 30th Annual Made in California, City of Brea Art Gallery, Brea, CA
Group Exhibition, Art & Paper Competition 2015, Arterie Fine Arts, Naperville, IL (curated by Teresa
Parker)
Group Exhibition, The Big Draw, Catalyst Gallery, Beacon, NY (curated by Theresa Goodman)
2014 Two Person Exhibition, Inter-Twined, Exit Gallery, Fullerton, CA (collaborative installation with Kadie
DiCarlo)
2013 Group Exhibition, Vivid Splendor, Songbird Boutique, Long Beach, CA (curated by Allison Leevers)
CV/Resume
gina.takaoka@gmail.com
EDUCATION
2016-2019 MFA (Studio Art), University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2012-2016 BFA (Drawing and Painting-Magna Cum Laude), California State University Fullerton, CA
2013 Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA (studied Renaissance Art in Florence, Italy)
2009-2012 Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016-present Laboratory Gallery Co-Coordinator, College Park, MD
2016-present Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2015-2016 Creative Expression Group Coordinator, Newport Academy, Orange, CA
Creative Expression Group Coordinator, AKUA Behavioral Health, Newport Beach, CA
2015 Intern, Linea Spazio Arte Contemporanea (assisted with selection of applicants for Florence Biennale),
Florence, Italy
2014-2015 Teaching Assistant, California State University Fullerton, CA (2D Design, 3D Design)
2014 Intern, Form:uLA Dimension Laboratory (assisted with the installation of architect Bryan Cantley’s solo
show at SCI-Arc), Fullerton, CA
2011-present Tattoo Artist, Routine Tattoo, Fountain Valley, CA
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2016 VIP College and Career (CalPREP) Mentor, Currie Middle School, Tustin, CA
2008-2015 Senior Volunteer/Volunteer Coordinator, The Lynn House, Costa Mesa, CA
AWARDS
2016 Semi-Finalist: Future of Information Alliance Seed Grant
EXHIBITION RECORD
2016 Group Exhibition, Primordial States, Herman Maril Gallery, College Park, MD
2015 Solo Exhibition, At Some Times and In Some Places, Exit Gallery, Fullerton, CA
Group Exhibition, 30th Annual Made in California, City of Brea Art Gallery, Brea, CA
Group Exhibition, Art & Paper Competition 2015, Arterie Fine Arts, Naperville, IL (curated by Teresa
Parker)
Group Exhibition, The Big Draw, Catalyst Gallery, Beacon, NY (curated by Theresa Goodman)
2014 Two Person Exhibition, Inter-Twined, Exit Gallery, Fullerton, CA (collaborative installation with Kadie
DiCarlo)
2013 Group Exhibition, Vivid Splendor, Songbird Boutique, Long Beach, CA (curated by Allison Leevers)