ARTIST BIO:

Born in Hiroshima, Japan, Urban Envy is known to be one of the original members of the New York Tributary Art Movement. The majority of her work, mostly paintings, has been categorized as "Cultural Surrealism," often said to be in the "tradition of Cynthia Tom and Frida Kahlo."

Her works have traces of her political beliefs and her own cultural bridges.

In 1999 she founded AlterAsian (1999 to 2007): an alternative Asian-American web magazine which in 2000 was chosen as one of "Top 20 Asian-American Websites that Stand Out From the Crowd" by A-magazine: Inside Asian-America.

In 2000 she founded URBAN ENVY DESIGN: which specializes in artist, non-profit, and small business internet and graphic design solutions.

In 2003, she was one of the original members of The Federation of East Village Artists (FEVA). FEVA promotes opportunities for artists today while honoring the work of legendary community members by working collectively with local artists, arts organizations, business owners, community groups, and the public. Their signature activity is the annual HOWL! Festival of East Village Arts, which celebrates the neighborhood's role as the cradle of counterculture.

In 2005, she co-founded the New York Tributary Art Movement with 3 other New York City Artists. NY Tributary is an art movement that brings together various artistic disciplines by concentrating on the process and the message of the art work. The NY Tributary also works to bring art to the "mainstream" by their street based performances, activities, and showings.

In 2006, she founded the Project: 2020 Suzie Wong which attempts to bring awareness and social change through art. Project: 2020 uses the novel/film character "Suzie Wong" from The World of Suzie Wong as a symbolism of historical and current racism and discrimination against Asian women in the western world and attempts to change the image of Asian women within mainstream America.

Today, Urban Envy continues to be an activist/visual artist residing in Brooklyn, New York. She has also established deep roots in the East Village and the Hell's Kitchen of New York City.

Urban Envy's works can be seen in local galleries of New York City and she has over the years fulfilled various private commissions.