Biography

Chiharu Roach is a visual artist based in Birmingham, Alabama. She is best known for her “Tangled Hair” portraits of females featuring animals and insects interwoven in their hair; where each strand is intricately painted with her custom tiny brushes. She was born and raised in Nagoya, Japan before relocating to Birmingham in 2001 and getting her art degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

  • 1972 Born in Japan
  • 1995 Sugiyama Jyogakuen University, BA Education
  • 2001 Relocated to Birmingham, AL. USA.
  • 2004 Jefferson State Community College AAS Art, Interior Design
  • 2007 The University of Alabama at Birmingham BA Art


Solo Exhibitions

2019

  • “The Memory Catchers”, Homewood Public Gallery (Birmingham, AL)

2017

  • “No More Shallow Dreams”, Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment (Huntsville, AL)

2013

  • “Tangled Up”, Kentucky Art Center (Northport, AL)



Group Exhibitions

2019

  • “Urban Wild”, Alabama Contemporary Art Center (Mobile, AL)

2018

  • “B18: Wiregrass Biennial”, Wiregrass Museum of Art (Dothan, AL)
  • “Alabama Reckoner”, Wiregrass Museum of Art (Dothan, AL)

2015

  • “Introspectus”, T-Rex Gallery (Birmingham, AL)

2014

  • “Natacosm”, Cobb Lane Gallery (Birmingham, AL)

2013

  • “Black and White to a World of Color”, Alabama Power (Birmingham, AL)

2007

  • “The Third Dimension”, UAB Art Gallery (Birmingham, AL)

2006

  • “Prints with a Purpose”, Montgomery Museum of Fine Art (Montgomery, AL)
  • “Unselfconscious Alabama” (Seale, AL; Anniston, AL; Fort McClellan, AL; Washington D.C.)

2005

  • “UAB 30th Juried Student Annual Arts Exhibition”, UAB Art Gallery (Birmingham, AL)

2004

  • “UAB 29th Juried Student Annual Arts Exhibition”, UAB Art Gallery (Birmingham, AL)


  • Art Festivals


2012 - 2019

  • “Magic City Art Connection” (Birmingham, AL)

2012 - 2016

  • “Moss Rock Festival” (Hoover, AL)

2012 - 2015

  • “Artwalk” (Birmingham, AL)

Awards

2019

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama Signature Award, “Magic City Art Connection” 

2018

People’s Choice Award, “B18: Wiregrass Biennial”, Wiregrass Museum of Art

Jemison Investment Award, “Magic City Art Connection” 

2017

Red Dot Gallery Award, “Magic City Art Connection” 

2015

Lincoln Motor Company Signature Award, “Magic City Art Connection” 

2014

Guy Kreusch Maralyn Wilson Award, “Magic City Art Connection” 

2013

Purchase Award, “Black and White to a World of Color”

Kinetic Communications Signature Award, “Magic City Art Connection”

Collector Award, “Magic City Art Connection”

Second Place, “Artwalk”

Alabama Power Maralyn Wilson,“Magic City Art Connection”

Collector Award,“Magic City Art Connection”

2012

First Place Award, “Artwalk”

2007

Award of Chris McNair, UAB

Dean’s Purchase Award, UAB

Creative Design Student Award, Jefferson Community College