Wasabi press proprietor Patricia Wakida is a writer, artist, and bibliophile.
My media of choice are linoleum blocks, wood and metal type, and hundred year old letterpresses.
Most of my life has been dedicated to narratives: first as a reader and thinker; then as a Japanese papermaker, apprentice bookbinder, letterpress printer, and now a linoleum block carver. I am an active supporter and participant in California’s thriving literary and artistic worlds, having either organized, volunteered, or participated in exhibitions, panel discussions, and workshops that promote and nurture the creation and flourishing of artistic and literary expression.
As a fourth-generation Japanese American, I have dedicated much of my career to researching and creating artwork that is reflective of my culture, history, and art. That work has always been informed by other artists whose work reflects the struggle for equality by exploring astonishing resilience of the mind and cultural adaptation to survive.
My artistic education began with an apprenticeship in Japanese papermaking in Mino, Gifu prefecture, Japan in 1996, followed by an apprenticeship at the Arts and Crafts Press under linoleum block artist and letterpress printer, Yoshiko Yamamoto, in Berkeley, California. Since then, I've continued drawing, carving, and printing in constant pursuit of whatever delights the eye.
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS
“The Bell: Japanese American Public Artwork and Memorial,” City of Hayward, Hayward, CA, February 2023
"Queen of Hearts" mural, Oakland Animal Shelter, Oakland, CA, 2018
"Day of Remembrance" public mandala, Yonsei Memory Project, Fresno Fairgrounds, Fresno, CA 2018
"Zoom Out" bronze medallions, Alameda County Arts Commission, East County Hall of Justice Project, Dublin, CA, 2017
"I Am An American: Family No. 25344" cut steel sculpture, Fresno Housing Authority, Droge Building, Fresno, CA, 2015
AWARDS and RESIDENCIES
Small Plates Book Artist Residency, San Francisco Center for the Book, 2015
Grapes of Wrath 75th Anniversary Fellowship, National Steinbeck Center, 2013
Artist Residency, Anderson Center at Tower View, 2012
Artist Residency, Espy Foundation, 2010
Artist Residency, Wurlitzer Foundation, 2009
Research Grant, Book Club of California, 2008
Fellowship, Japan-U.S. Community Education and Exchange/Kyoto Journal, 2001
SOLO AND TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
Burlingame Public Library, Burlingame, CA 2019
Wasabi Press, Inkblot Gallery, Alameda, CA 2016
Where'er There's a Fight, Autry Museum, Los Angeles, CA 2014Where'er There's a Fight, National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, CA, 2014
Print Run with Jason Byers, 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, CA 2009
Year of the Dog and Other Animals, Deep Roots Urban Teahouse, Oakland, CA 2006
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Recognition: Labor Meets Art in Explorations of Identity and Social Justice, Oakland, CA 2019
EO 9066: Japanese American Voices from the Inside, Fresno State Madden Library, Fresno, CA February 2017
I Bear Witness,12 Gates + Asian Arts Initative, Philadelphia PA 2016
Look! Book Arts, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, CA 2016
Multimatter Show, Giant Robot Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2013-2014
Year of the Horse, Giant Robot Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2013
Loteria Roadworks, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA, 2010
Little Lino, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2009
Bookworks 2008, Skylight Gallery, Main Public Library, San Francisco, CA 2008
Alphabet Food Print Exchange, Four Oceans Press, Oakland, CA 2008
We Are California History, Oakland Art Gallery, Oakland, CA 2008
ROADWORKS steamroller prints, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2007
Sit Down and Read, Another Room Book Arts Bookstore, Alameda, CA 2007
Homes for Ideas: book arts exhibition, Rock, Paper, Scissors Gallery, Oakland, CA 2007
APAture,180 Capp Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2006
Bookworks, Skylight Gallery, Main Public Library, San Francisco, CA 2006
Pacific Center for the Book Calendar Show, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2006
Art of the Book, Mills College Lesser Hall, Oakland, CA 2005
AC Transit Art Bus #9 spy cum court reporter eavesdropper with manual typewriter performance, Berkeley Arts Festival, Berkeley, CA 2004
What’s in A Book?: A Look at the Book Arts Scene, New Langton Arts, San Francisco, CA 2004
Re-Mix: An Exhibition on Humor and Social Commentary: Chicano/Latino and Asian American Art, SomArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2004
Post, Poster, Postest 6, National Post Office Gallery, Tokyo, Japan 2004
The Game: 11 Korean American and 11 Japanese American artists in celebration of the World Cup 2002 hosted by Korea and Japan, Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA 2002
Dialogue on Paper: Collaboration between Communities, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA 2002
COMMISSIONED ILLUSTRATIONS
Liz Carlisle/Island Press Healing Grounds book illustrations (publication date 2022); National Nurses United conference illustrations (2021); David Mas Masumoto/Red Hen Press Shizuko book illustrations (publication date 2023); Yoshiko Uchida/Heyday Books Journey to Topaz book cover (2021); John Forti/Timber Press Heirloom Gardening book illustrations (2021); The Great AAPI Elder Print Off (2021); Nutiva product logo (2020); Salinas/Watsonville Japanese American Citizen's League exhibition, "Gambatte Kimashita"; Mak'amham Ohlone Cafe; Village Harvest grains; Scratch Wines; People Organized to Win Employment Rights; University of San Francisco Parent/Infant program; Heyday Books; T-10 Video Festival and various experimental musicians and band posters.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Introduction to Linoleum Block Printing Instructor, San Francisco Center for the Book
Bookbinding and Printmaking Instructor, Associated Students of UC Berkeley Art Studio
Letterpress and Gocco Print Workshop Instructor: Kearny Street Workshop
Book Arts Lecturer: Center for Writers Artist Lecture Series, UC Santa Cruz
Letterpress and Bookbinding Teaching Assistant, Mills College Book Arts Program
OTHER ART AND HISTORY COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
Advisory Committee, M&H Type/Arion Press/Grabhorn Institute, 2021- present
Contributing Writer, Nichi Bei Weekly newspaper, 2019-present
Associate Editor, Densho Encyclopedia, 2011-present
Editor, Discover Nikkei website, 2010-present
Steering Committee, California Studies Association, 2011-present
Board of Directors, Kaya Press, 2010- present
Contributing Writer, Rafu Shimpo newspaper, 2011-2012
Board of Directors, Heyday Books, 2012- 2015
Grants Committee, Cal Humanities "Community Stories" grants, 2012
Board of Directors/Development Committee: San Francisco Center for the Book, 2005-2008
Book Arts Judge, California College of Art, 2008-2009
Advisory Committee: Poets & Writers California Programs, 2007-2009
2007 Literary Awards Judge (non-fiction): Asian American Writers Workshop, 2007
Jury Panelist: Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission, 2007
Advisory Committee and Panelist: Asian Pacific American Book Festival, 2006
Organizer: Great Valley Books Writers Conference, 2005
Selection Panel Member: California Poet Laureate, 2002
Board of Directors/Exhibitions Chair: Pacific Center for Book Arts, 2001-2003
Photo by Kristen Murakoshi