Chey (pronounced “shy”) Isola is a contemporary artist and Bay Area native.

In her work, Isola explores her complex inner world as a half Thai - half white adoptee to an Italian - Korean household in California. Using oil paints, she blurs boundaries between backgrounds and foregrounds to express the multiplicity of a mixed identity.

Her work is heavily inspired by her California hometown's landscape and flora, as well as its culturally diverse spiritual scene. Through hidden faces, overgrown flowers, and hazy light, Isola invokes a sense of mystery, overwhelm and intoxication on her journey to self discovery.

Artist’s CV

b. 2001 Athens, Georgia

2018 / Academy of Art; Precollege Credit. San Francisco, CA

2019-23 / Laguna College of Art and Design; BFA in Game Art. Laguna Beach, CA

Upcoming

2025 May / Oakland Art Murmur; Opening Celebration & Community Exhibition. Berkeley, CA

2025 June / Oakland Art Murmur; East Bay Open Studios. Berkeley, CA

2025 October / Casa Na Ihla; Residency Program. Ihlabela, Brazil

Volunteer Experience

2025 February - present / Creative Growth Gallery. Oakland, CA

2025 March / Asian American Women Artist’s Association; Slide Slam. San Francisco, CA

Upcoming

2025 April / Asian American Women Artist’s Association; BROWN PALMS, YELLOW BALMS Reinventing Caregivers of Color. San Francisco, CA