Chikako Okada’s autobiographical oil paintings bridge traditional realism with magical realism and surrealism. The artist uniquely addresses questions of the human condition through her meticulously detailed, and patterned oil paintings. The work is mesmerizing, rich in symbolism, and references feminine power, vulnerability, sadness, longing, and desire. Okada's images often feature young women mysteriously posed, with their circumstances left to the viewer's interpretation.

The artist is inspired by the paintings of European masters, Mexico's Frida Kahlo, and the American impressionists. Educated in Japan and the United States, at San Francisco's Art Institute, Chikako Okada has exhibited internationally over a 30-year period. Her paintings and drawings are collected worldwide.

EDUCATION

Spring 1991 San Francisco Art Institute, MFA in Painting, San Francisco, CA

Spring 1987 San Francisco Art Institute, BFA in Painting, San Francisco, CA

1982 – 1983 Pitzer College, Claremont, CA

Spring 1982 Kantou Gakuin University, Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture Yokohama, Japan

COMPETITIONS

1993

"Drawing First", Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1992

"Wet Paint Two", Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"9, San Francisco Art Institute 111th Annual Exhibition" Walter McBean Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"500 Years of Resistance Through Women's Eyes", Mission Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA

"A Woman's Vision", San Francisco Woman Artists Gallery San Francisco, CA

1991

"Wet Paint", Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2016 "Awakening", Gallery Ishi, Ginza, Tokyo

1998 "Solo Show", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1995 "Solo Show", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1993 "Introductions '93", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2018-2019 "SMALL WORKS II", Andra Norris Gallery, Burlingame, CA

2018

"LAND's END", Andra Norris Gallery, Burlingame, CA

2012

"FEMMESCAPES", The Mills College Art Museum, San Francisco, CA

1999

"Old Masters Revisited", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1998

"20th Anniversary", The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1997

"The 13th Annual Art Auction of San Francisco Art Institute", Walter / McBean Gallery, San Francisco, CA

The Intimate Brush", Palo Alto Cultural Center, Palo AIto, CA

1995

"San Francisco Zen Center Art Auction", Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA

"ArtSpan Art Auction", SOMA Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"Altered Realism", Davidson Galleries, Seattle, WA

"The 12th Annual Art Auction of San Francisco Art Institute", Walter / McBean Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1994

"Historic References", Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA

"Miniatures", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"Nudes", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Franeisco, CA

"Southern Exposure's 20th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition", Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"New Old Masters", Center for the Arts Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco, CA

1993

"The 15th Anniversary Exhibition", The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"Multum In Parvo", Caplan Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

"Miniatures", Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"Summer Group Show", Caplan Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

"3 Persons Show" The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"10th Annual Art Auction of San Franciso Art Institute", Walter / McBean Gallery, SanFrancisco, CA

"Winter Introductions", Caplan Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

1991

"San Francisco Art Institute Masters of Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition", Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA

"New Realism", The New John Wayne Airport, Costa Mesa, CA

1990

"Introductions", Parker / Zanic Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

1988

"Up Date", Show N Tell Gallery, San Francisco, CA

AWARDS

1990

Spring Show Award for Paintings, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1998

"The Exhibition", San Francisco, P.70, December 1998

1997

"New American Paintings", The Open Studio Press, juried by Clare Bell,

Assistant Curator of Guggenheim Museum, NY, December 1997

1996

"Figurative Painting", Artweek, P.17, June 1996

"Chikako Okada at Olga Dollar Gallery", Asian Art News, P.78-79 January/February 1996, Jana ,Reena

"On the Cover", Nob Hill Gazette, the cover page and P.4, May 1996, Cameron, Mindy

"Chikako Okada at Olga Dollar Gallery", Artweek, the coverpage and P.20 January 1996,Torres, Anthony

1994

"Talking with Chikako Okada", West, P.2-7, Winter 94/95

"New Old Masters", catalog, Center for the Arts at Yerba Buena Gardens, Hawley-Ruppel, Wendy.

1993

"Art Now Gallery Guide", P.wc13, December 1993

"Introductions, '93 S.F. Art Dealers Association", Artweek, P.18 August 5, 1993, Van Proyen, Mark.

"Eye on Design", San Francisco Examiner, June 30, 1993 Kuchinskas, Susan.

"How Much Art Can You Take?" The Bay Guardian, P.46-47, July 7,1993

1992

"9, S.F.A.I. 111th Annual Exhibition", catalog, Walter / McBean Galley