I was born in Viña del Mar, Chile, where I began my college education in Visual Communications at the University of Vina del Mar, in 1986. After moving to the United States in 1990, I continued a multifaceted study of both Fine Arts and Graphic Design.

I'm always experimenting with various techniques and mixed media with a strong emphasis in modern abstraction and figurative motives that I call "fantastic surrealism."

My most recent work represents a series of images inspired by my life experiences. As an immigrant living now in San Francisco, some of my inspirations are the connections with my native land, the city life, the Pacific Ocean, the hills, the fog, the diverse people, the lighting, the shadows, patterns, technology and architecture.

Painting mostly with primary colors using acrylics, playing with mixed media, and using plexiglass "and recycle windows" as the canvas allows me the use of double surfaces, creating a almost 3D effect. This adds more depth to the art piece.
- Carolina Tapia-Urzua

Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ( 1995 - 1997 )
Graphic Design

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ( 1990 - 1993 )
Printmaking, Painting and Drawing

University Vina del Mar
Vina del Mar, Chile ( 1985 - 1988 )
Visual Communications

November 2008 - December 2008

"Exonome"
Different Origins/New Paradigms/One Place in Common. Latin American Artists living in the Bay Area. General Consulate of Mexico Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Acrylics on Plexiglass

October 2008

Fall Open Studios
Francisco Studios participation, San Francisco, CA
Acrylics, mixed media and recycling materials

May 2008

Spring Open Studios
Francisco Studios participation, San Francisco, CA
Acrylics, mixed media and recycling materials

October 13th - 14th 2007

"Dreamscapes"
Group exhibition
San Francisco Open Studios
Fort Mason Center, Building C - Room 370
Acrylics and mixed media on plexiglass

September 2007

"Art Walk"
Solo exhibition
Caledonia Street Fair
Sausalito, CA
Acrylics and mixed media on plexiglass

July - August 2007

"Verticales"
Solo exhibition
Universtiy Club / Henry Hardy Art Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Acrylics and mixed media using vertical format on plexiglass

November 2006

"Verticales"
Solo exhibition
ATA Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Acrylics and mixed media using vertical format on plexiglass

February 2006

"4x4"
4 Woman Collective Show
Theater 39
San Francisco, CA
Silkscreen and Acrylics on Plexiglass

October 2005

Solo Exhibition
Bean There Cafe Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Silkscreen and Acrylics on Plexiglass

February 2004

"Chilean Cultural Festival"
Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
Silkscreen and Acrylics on Plexiglass

November 2003

"Canned: Eclectic Art Show"
Organized by IDSA and AIGA at Studio Z
San Francisco, CA
Silkscreen and Acrylics on Plexiglass

November 2003

"Export Art" - Chilean Art
World Affairs Council
San Francisco, CA
Acrylics on Plexiglass

January 2003

Permanent Historical Plaque
Designed for the City of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

October 1996

Solo Exhibition - "Mystical Abstraction"
Turmoil Room
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

December - November 1994

Solo Exhibition
BALCONY Shadyside
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

November 1994

"8 Annual Show for the Homeless"
Garfield Artworks
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreen

September 1994 - October

"Future Antiques: Contemporary Impressions"
Antique Prints Gallery
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreen

April 1994 - May

Solo Exhibition
Carnegie Mellon University Coffehouse
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

April 1994 - May

"The Art of the Contemporary Print"
Southern Alleghenies Museum
University of Pittsburgh
Johnstown, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreen

February 1994

"Perspectives of Contemporary Printmaking"
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

November 1993

"7 Annual Show for the Homeless"
Garfield Artworks
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreen

November 1993

"Art with a Heart"
Centre for Personal Development
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreen

October 1993

Solo Exhibition
SIP Cafe
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

August 1991

Solo Exhibition
Drugstore Gallery
Santiago, Chile
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

April 1991

"Second Annual Exhibition of Latin American Artists"
William Pitt Art Gallery,
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreens

March 1991

"Six Latin American Artists"
Undercroft Gallery
Pittsburgh, PA
Experimental Monoprint Silkscreen

December 1990

"Annual Show"
Instituto Frances Vina del Mar
Vina del Mar, Chile
Installation with Enamel and Plastic