About the Artist
Gina Ariko is a Japanese-American artist based in Seattle, WA. Growing up, she spent most of her summers visiting family in Kokura, Japan, where her ojichan and obaachan first taught her to paint. Despite the language and distance barriers between them, they learned to connect through a shared love of painting. Her interest in art and storytelling overlapped at Santa Clara University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in both English and studio art, with a minor in art history. After graduation, Gina worked in marketing, events, and community development before pursuing art full-time in 2020. Since then, she has exhibited her artwork across the US and Japan, and is currently represented by Gallery 110 in Seattle. In addition to her studio practice, Gina is a freelance floral designer and art teacher.
Interwoven, 2024
Blades of Change
Nuclear industrial fan blade, acrylic
Permanently collected by University House, ERA Living (Wallingford), Seattle
Gina Ariko Maroni, a Ballard-based painter was paired with resident elder, Fred Minifie. Through a series of interviews, Maroni captured Minifie’s life story as a new work of art on a nuclear fan blade. Special thanks to ERA Living and curator, June Sekiguchi for supporting this project.
Artist Statement
I had such a positive experience interviewing Fred, and we had some surprising connections for two strangers meeting by chance from different generations. I really didn't know what to expect going into it, or how I would go about interpreting the conversation into a painting but it's been a surprisingly fun creative challenge.
The quilt pattern was inspired by Fred’s love for family and his many grandchildren and great-granchildren. ‘The apple never falls far from the tree’ was one theme that inspired the work, and purple and gold color pallete speak to Minifie’s career as Professor of Speech & Hearing Sciences at University of Washington.
Photos by Mark Woods and courtesy of the artist
Interwoven is permanently collected by University House (Wallingford) Seattle, Washington.
It may be accessible to the public during select events at University House.