Jessica Elena Aquino is an interdisciplinary artist, poet, and educator from Santa Ana, CA currently based in Brooklyn. Aquino’s practice is rooted in weaving. She draws from cultural iconography, memory and mythology and interweaves them with the mediation on Latinidad and labor. The physicality and labor demanded by her work is homage to her communities who have literally woven la cultura across generations with their hands.
Aquino earned her B.A in Studio Art in Painting from Colgate University in 2014 and an MFA at the PA Academy of the Fine Arts in 2019. Her work has been exhibited at the Barrett Arts Center in Poughkeepsie, NY; Pilot Projects, PA; The Plastic Club; The PA Academy of the Fine Arts; Vox Populi, and Anna Zorina Gallery. Aquino has been invited to participate in Respect for the Rights of Others is Peace exhibition, at Da Vinci Arts Alliance in November 2020. She was an Artist in Residence at the Santa Fe Art Institute and has won numerous awards such as the Alumni Council Award, Murray Dessner Travel Grant. Aquino has worked for multiple curators and within the Education department at the PA Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Museum of Modern Art, in Manhattan, NY. Aquino will be staring her 9 month residency at the Textile Arts Center in October 2020.
Aquino earned her B.A in Studio Art in Painting from Colgate University in 2014 and an MFA at the PA Academy of the Fine Arts in 2019. Her work has been exhibited at the Barrett Arts Center in Poughkeepsie, NY; Pilot Projects, PA; The Plastic Club; The PA Academy of the Fine Arts; Vox Populi, and Anna Zorina Gallery. Aquino has been invited to participate in Respect for the Rights of Others is Peace exhibition, at Da Vinci Arts Alliance in November 2020. She was an Artist in Residence at the Santa Fe Art Institute and has won numerous awards such as the Alumni Council Award, Murray Dessner Travel Grant. Aquino has worked for multiple curators and within the Education department at the PA Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Museum of Modern Art, in Manhattan, NY. Aquino will be staring her 9 month residency at the Textile Arts Center in October 2020.