ARTIST BIO

Vicky Faye Aquino considers herself a self-taught artist who continues to find balance between her passion for the arts and her professional career. Her love for art began when her mother gave her a box of oil pastels on her ninth birthday, which she used to win her first art contest. That first taste of success opened the door to the world of art. Growing up in Manila, Philippines, she thought she would become a lawyer like her parents, since attending art school was not an option, but she ultimately chose a different path.

She graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in BA Psychology and BS Business Management from De La Salle University and worked as an analyst for an international bank. Despite missing the opportunity to attend art school earlier, moving to Philadelphia became her turning point, giving her the chance to pursue art once again. Through workshops and the exploration of various painting techniques, she went on to host several solo and group exhibitions in Philadelphia, New York, and Manila.

Her dream came full circle when she applied to art school and received a merit scholarship from The University of the Arts, where she earned a Master of Arts in Art Education with a concentration in Art Therapy. She was also awarded the Elizabeth C. Roberts Prize for her master’s thesis, “The Effects of Doodling on the Academic and Artistic Learning of K–12 Students,” and was recognized for her contributions to the field of art education.

She worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for several years before transitioning to higher education. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of the Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Lecturer in Filipino Language and Culture at the Penn Language Center. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Literacy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

She has also worked with several nonprofit organizations, including Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), the International Sculpture Center, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, and SEAMAAC. In her volunteer work, she serves on the Advisory Board of the Asian American Women’s Coalition (AAWC), where she was also previously elected as a Board Member and Chair of the Scholar Development Committee. She remains active in community engagement through her involvement with the Philippine Folk Arts Society, Inc. (PFASI), Asian Arts Initiative (AAI), and the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP).

Artist Statement

My three P’s when it comes to art are Passion, Profession, and Purpose. I believe that artists help shape cultural identities and that art is a universal language that speaks across communities. Every piece I create is part of a continuous learning experience.

I continue to explore and discover new ways to express my style through different forms of media. I began with oil pastels, acrylic, and watercolor, and I am now expanding into mixed media and sculpture using various raw materials. I want my work to reflect a harmonious contradiction, a colorful juxtaposition of images. By combining controlled and freehand techniques, my work aims to capture the best of both worlds, the clarity of vividness and the mystery of vagueness.

Through my art, I hope to inspire others to follow their hearts and never give up on their dreams.

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

Bloom, South Tower Art Studio, Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA, August 17 - September 8, 2017
WholeheARTed, Twenty-Two Gallery, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, August 3 - 7, 2015
The Sameness of Difference, Philippine Consulate General, New York, NY, July 29 - August 9, 2013
Tile Travel, Art Hall, The Enterprise Center, Makati City, Philippines, July 2-13, 2012
Intuitive Nature, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Philippines, December 17, 2011 - February 1, 2012
More Than Just Colors, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, PA, August 4, 2011

Group Exhibitions

Chinatown: One of the Most Endangered Places, Photography Exhibition, Crane Community Center, October 20-22, 2023
PMA Staff Art Show, Philadelphia Museum of Art, May 2019
Mayor's Commission on Asian American Affairs Heritage Exhibit, Philadelphia City Hall, May 2 - June 1, 2018
Art of the Flower, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, March 4-30, 2018
Reflection, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA, November 17, 2017 - January 11, 2018
Art Unleashed, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 2015, 2016, and 2017
Visual Perspective: Art Explorations by Lasallian Educators, The Museum, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines, January - May 2012
Versatility, 924 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, December 21, 2012