Nica Aquino (b. January 1, 1990) is a multidisciplinary artist & analogue photographer originally from Los Angeles, CA. She holds a BFA in Photography from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR and an MA in Visual Culture from the School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom. Her work has been exhibited internationally in Manchester, United Kingdom; Belgrade, Serbia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and nationally in Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; San Antonio, TX.
Her work reveals place, identity & the cross-cultural experience largely through a photographic lens. Via analogue photography, viewers see through the eyes of a first generation Ilokana-American trying to navigate North American culture & drawing inspiration from the people & places around her, exploring diverse immigrant diasporas & communities in the US & beyond. Most recently, her work has expanded to experiment with textiles, installation, video & sound; examining themes of memory & loss, specifically how we [re]visit/[re]create memories & how different tiers of loss ranging from death to post-colonial melancholia are subconsciously embedded in these memories.
Aside from spending her early adolescence moving between states & continents, Nica grew up within immigrant, working class inner-city neighborhoods on the cusps of Koreatown, Pico-Union & Mid-City, Los Angeles. She is now residing in the Northeast Los Angeles community, where she works as a curator.
(photo by A. Reinhardt)
Her work reveals place, identity & the cross-cultural experience largely through a photographic lens. Via analogue photography, viewers see through the eyes of a first generation Ilokana-American trying to navigate North American culture & drawing inspiration from the people & places around her, exploring diverse immigrant diasporas & communities in the US & beyond. Most recently, her work has expanded to experiment with textiles, installation, video & sound; examining themes of memory & loss, specifically how we [re]visit/[re]create memories & how different tiers of loss ranging from death to post-colonial melancholia are subconsciously embedded in these memories.
Aside from spending her early adolescence moving between states & continents, Nica grew up within immigrant, working class inner-city neighborhoods on the cusps of Koreatown, Pico-Union & Mid-City, Los Angeles. She is now residing in the Northeast Los Angeles community, where she works as a curator.
(photo by A. Reinhardt)
EDUCATION
2016. MA with Merit in Contemporary Visual Culture. School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University. Manchester, UK.
2013. BFA Photography. Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.
2007. Digital Media & Photography. California State Summer School of the Arts, California Institute for the Arts. Valencia, CA.
WORK
2019 - Present. Lead Curator. Center for the Arts Eagle Rock (CFAER). Eagle Rock, CA.
2019. Administrative Assistant. Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
2018 - 2019. Visitor Services. Marciano Art Foundation. Los Angeles, CA.
2018. Guest Curator. CFAER. Eagle Rock, CA.
2017 - 2019. Art Educator. CFAER. Eagle Rock, CA.
2016. Researcher. Living in Future Ecologies Research Group, Manchester, UK.
2015 - 2016. Widening Participation Student Ambassador. MMU. Manchester, UK.
2015 - 2016. International 16 Project Volunteer. International Society of Manchester. Manchester, UK.
2014 - 2015. Musician. Kayamanan Ng Lahi Filipino Folk Arts. Los Angeles, CA.
2014. Freelance Photographer. Sony Pictures. Los Angeles, CA.
2013. Assistant Photo Lab Technician. PNCA. Portland, OR.
2012. Receptionist, Photo Specialist. PNCA Media Resource Center. Portland, OR.
2011 - 2013. PNCA Students of Color Coalition. Portland, OR.
2011 - 2013. Apprentice/Shop Assistant. Modified Screen Printing & Design. Portland, OR.
AWARDS
2019. Artist in Residence, Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts - Los Angeles, CA.
2019. Eastside Arts Initiative Grantee (with CFAER) - Los Angeles, CA.
2019. California Arts Council: Creative California Communities Grantee (with CFAER) - Los Angeles, CA.
2019. Women’s Center For Creative Work Artist Health Grant - Los Angeles, CA.
2016. Women’s Center For Creative Work Artist Health Grant - Los Angeles, CA.
2009. PNCA Entrance Portfolio Award - Portland, OR.
2004. Gear Up Writing Scholarship - Los Angeles, CA.
PRESS
2019. Interview: ‘Meet Trailblazer Nica Aquino,’ Voyage LA. Los Angeles, CA.
2016. Review: ‘Reply All, Grosvenor Gallery,’ Corridor8: Contemporary Art and Writing Journal. Manchester, UK.
2013. Review: 'Art Walkin': First Thursday,' Portland Mercury Newspaper Visual Art Review. Portland, OR.
LECTURES/PANELS/ARTIST TALKS
2019:
'Memory Room' Dinner & Artist Talk at Irenia Restaurant, presented by the Erica Broussard Gallery. Santa Ana, CA.
‘Borders: Representation & Reality,’ Artist Panel. PSU Department of Philosophy. Portland, OR.
Visiting Artist Lecture (Professional Practices Seminar), Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.
2018:
’The Starving Artist No More’ Adelante Mujer Latina Conference, Pasadena City College. Pasadena, CA.
2016:
Visiting High School Lecture: Mid-Peninsula High School. Los Angeles, CA.
Intro to Philippine Art, City College of San Francisco. San Francisco, CA.
Filipino-American Heritage, Napa Valley College. Napa Valley, CA.
‘Filipino Family,’ City College of San Francisco. San Francisco, CA.
2013:
’Resistance’ Artist Panel, Place PDX Gallery. Portland, OR.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019. 'Memory Room' #2, at Irenia Restaurant, presented by the Erica Broussard Gallery. Santa Ana, CA.
2018. ‘Memory Room,’ Annex Gallery at Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
2013. ‘The Best of: Nica Aquino,’ BFA Gallery at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019:
CFAER's 15th Annual Art Auction. Eagle Rock, CA.
’Borders: Representation & Reality,’ MK Gallery. Portland, OR.
‘Politically Private,’ Guggenheim Gallery. Orange, CA.
‘A Public Collection of the Hidden but Familiar (A Tropikalye Survey),’ Limbo Gallery. Makati City, Philippines.
2018:
’Balay/Bahay: Creating Our Home,’ Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock, CA.
’And/Or Pt. 2,’ Junior High. Hollywood, CA.
’Dépaysement,’ by Asia Photo Review. Nous Tous Gallery. Los Angeles, CA.
’And/Or,’ Deep End Club. Echo Park, CA.
’Immigration 101: Artists Speak Out,’ Main Gallery at Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
’Images of Power,’ Freight Gallery. San Antonio, TX.
2017:
’Kitakits,’ Pilipino Workers Center. Los Angeles, CA.
’Honouring Our Ancestors,’ Main Gallery at Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
Manchester-Brazil Collaborative ‘Responder A Todxs,’ Despina Gallery. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
2016:
Manchester-Brazil Collaborative ‘Reply All,’ Grosvenor Gallery. Manchester, UK.
’Territorial Anxiety,’ Grosvenor Gallery. Manchester, UK.
2015:
’(Con)testing Ground,’ Twenty Twenty Two Gallery. Manchester, UK.
’The Other ‘I’ in Art,’ Action/Adventure Theater. Portland, OR.
2014:
’April Meetings,’ Video & Performance Festival. Belgrade, Serbia.
2013:
’Resistance,’ Place PDX Gallery, Portland, OR.
2012:
Race Art Exhibition, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Portland, OR.
’Coffee and Nostalgia,’ Gallery 11:11. Portland, OR.
’Exploring Otherness,’ Students of Color Coalition. Higgins Gallery, Portland, OR.
SOCC Group Exhibition, Influx Gallery, Portland, OR.
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2018. ’Balay/Bahay: Creating Our Home,’ Lead Curator. Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock, CA.
PUBLICATIONS
2019. Filipino American Artist Directory 2018-2019, Chicago, IL.
2017. {M}aganda Magazine Issue #30 - 'TRIAL', Berkeley, CA.
2014. “Not the Place for a Brown Face,” Broke in Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
2012. Submit Magazine, Portland, OR.
2011. Submit Magazine, Portland, OR.
PERFORMANCES WITH KAYAMANAN NG LAHI
2015:
Merrie Monarch Festival Parade. Hilo, Hawai’i.
University of Hawaii Hilo Pilipino Cultural Night. Hilo, Hawai’i.
University of Hawaii Hilo Edutainment. Hilo, Hawai’i.
”MANA" - Music & Dance of the Philippines & Hawai’i, Merrie Monarch Festival Ho’Ike Night, Hilo, Hawai’i.
California State University of Northridge Pilipino Cultural Night. Los Angeles, CA.
”MANA" - Music and Dance of the Philippines & Hawai’i. Aratani Theater. Los Angeles, CA.
2014:
”Giving Thanks" Thanksgiving Recital, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Los Angeles, CA.
23rd Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), Los Angeles, CA.
2016. MA with Merit in Contemporary Visual Culture. School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University. Manchester, UK.
2013. BFA Photography. Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.
2007. Digital Media & Photography. California State Summer School of the Arts, California Institute for the Arts. Valencia, CA.
WORK
2019 - Present. Lead Curator. Center for the Arts Eagle Rock (CFAER). Eagle Rock, CA.
2019. Administrative Assistant. Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
2018 - 2019. Visitor Services. Marciano Art Foundation. Los Angeles, CA.
2018. Guest Curator. CFAER. Eagle Rock, CA.
2017 - 2019. Art Educator. CFAER. Eagle Rock, CA.
2016. Researcher. Living in Future Ecologies Research Group, Manchester, UK.
2015 - 2016. Widening Participation Student Ambassador. MMU. Manchester, UK.
2015 - 2016. International 16 Project Volunteer. International Society of Manchester. Manchester, UK.
2014 - 2015. Musician. Kayamanan Ng Lahi Filipino Folk Arts. Los Angeles, CA.
2014. Freelance Photographer. Sony Pictures. Los Angeles, CA.
2013. Assistant Photo Lab Technician. PNCA. Portland, OR.
2012. Receptionist, Photo Specialist. PNCA Media Resource Center. Portland, OR.
2011 - 2013. PNCA Students of Color Coalition. Portland, OR.
2011 - 2013. Apprentice/Shop Assistant. Modified Screen Printing & Design. Portland, OR.
AWARDS
2019. Artist in Residence, Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts - Los Angeles, CA.
2019. Eastside Arts Initiative Grantee (with CFAER) - Los Angeles, CA.
2019. California Arts Council: Creative California Communities Grantee (with CFAER) - Los Angeles, CA.
2019. Women’s Center For Creative Work Artist Health Grant - Los Angeles, CA.
2016. Women’s Center For Creative Work Artist Health Grant - Los Angeles, CA.
2009. PNCA Entrance Portfolio Award - Portland, OR.
2004. Gear Up Writing Scholarship - Los Angeles, CA.
PRESS
2019. Interview: ‘Meet Trailblazer Nica Aquino,’ Voyage LA. Los Angeles, CA.
2016. Review: ‘Reply All, Grosvenor Gallery,’ Corridor8: Contemporary Art and Writing Journal. Manchester, UK.
2013. Review: 'Art Walkin': First Thursday,' Portland Mercury Newspaper Visual Art Review. Portland, OR.
LECTURES/PANELS/ARTIST TALKS
2019:
'Memory Room' Dinner & Artist Talk at Irenia Restaurant, presented by the Erica Broussard Gallery. Santa Ana, CA.
‘Borders: Representation & Reality,’ Artist Panel. PSU Department of Philosophy. Portland, OR.
Visiting Artist Lecture (Professional Practices Seminar), Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.
2018:
’The Starving Artist No More’ Adelante Mujer Latina Conference, Pasadena City College. Pasadena, CA.
2016:
Visiting High School Lecture: Mid-Peninsula High School. Los Angeles, CA.
Intro to Philippine Art, City College of San Francisco. San Francisco, CA.
Filipino-American Heritage, Napa Valley College. Napa Valley, CA.
‘Filipino Family,’ City College of San Francisco. San Francisco, CA.
2013:
’Resistance’ Artist Panel, Place PDX Gallery. Portland, OR.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019. 'Memory Room' #2, at Irenia Restaurant, presented by the Erica Broussard Gallery. Santa Ana, CA.
2018. ‘Memory Room,’ Annex Gallery at Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
2013. ‘The Best of: Nica Aquino,’ BFA Gallery at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019:
CFAER's 15th Annual Art Auction. Eagle Rock, CA.
’Borders: Representation & Reality,’ MK Gallery. Portland, OR.
‘Politically Private,’ Guggenheim Gallery. Orange, CA.
‘A Public Collection of the Hidden but Familiar (A Tropikalye Survey),’ Limbo Gallery. Makati City, Philippines.
2018:
’Balay/Bahay: Creating Our Home,’ Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock, CA.
’And/Or Pt. 2,’ Junior High. Hollywood, CA.
’Dépaysement,’ by Asia Photo Review. Nous Tous Gallery. Los Angeles, CA.
’And/Or,’ Deep End Club. Echo Park, CA.
’Immigration 101: Artists Speak Out,’ Main Gallery at Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
’Images of Power,’ Freight Gallery. San Antonio, TX.
2017:
’Kitakits,’ Pilipino Workers Center. Los Angeles, CA.
’Honouring Our Ancestors,’ Main Gallery at Avenue 50 Studio. Highland Park, CA.
Manchester-Brazil Collaborative ‘Responder A Todxs,’ Despina Gallery. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
2016:
Manchester-Brazil Collaborative ‘Reply All,’ Grosvenor Gallery. Manchester, UK.
’Territorial Anxiety,’ Grosvenor Gallery. Manchester, UK.
2015:
’(Con)testing Ground,’ Twenty Twenty Two Gallery. Manchester, UK.
’The Other ‘I’ in Art,’ Action/Adventure Theater. Portland, OR.
2014:
’April Meetings,’ Video & Performance Festival. Belgrade, Serbia.
2013:
’Resistance,’ Place PDX Gallery, Portland, OR.
2012:
Race Art Exhibition, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Portland, OR.
’Coffee and Nostalgia,’ Gallery 11:11. Portland, OR.
’Exploring Otherness,’ Students of Color Coalition. Higgins Gallery, Portland, OR.
SOCC Group Exhibition, Influx Gallery, Portland, OR.
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2018. ’Balay/Bahay: Creating Our Home,’ Lead Curator. Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock, CA.
PUBLICATIONS
2019. Filipino American Artist Directory 2018-2019, Chicago, IL.
2017. {M}aganda Magazine Issue #30 - 'TRIAL', Berkeley, CA.
2014. “Not the Place for a Brown Face,” Broke in Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
2012. Submit Magazine, Portland, OR.
2011. Submit Magazine, Portland, OR.
PERFORMANCES WITH KAYAMANAN NG LAHI
2015:
Merrie Monarch Festival Parade. Hilo, Hawai’i.
University of Hawaii Hilo Pilipino Cultural Night. Hilo, Hawai’i.
University of Hawaii Hilo Edutainment. Hilo, Hawai’i.
”MANA" - Music & Dance of the Philippines & Hawai’i, Merrie Monarch Festival Ho’Ike Night, Hilo, Hawai’i.
California State University of Northridge Pilipino Cultural Night. Los Angeles, CA.
”MANA" - Music and Dance of the Philippines & Hawai’i. Aratani Theater. Los Angeles, CA.
2014:
”Giving Thanks" Thanksgiving Recital, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Los Angeles, CA.
23rd Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), Los Angeles, CA.
