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)