Namiko Chan Takahashi

In 1974, Takahashi was born in Singapore to a Japanese mother and a Peranakan father. Takahashi studied at the National Junior College (1991-1992), enrolling in the Art Elective Programme. Takahashi read law at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law. In New York, Takahashi studied painting under US artists such as Harvey Dinnerstein, Ronnie Landfield, Daniel Greene and Mary Beth McKenzie at the League. Takahashi graduated from the League in May 2002 and returned to Singapore. == Career ==

In November 2001, Takahashi showcased a series of expressionist oil paintings in her exhibition My Life as an Artist in Context with the Will of God at the Art Seasons Gallery. These paintings were created during her years with the Art Students’ League of New York. She had also donated her artwork titled Uma to the law faculty in honour of her teachers there. In turn, the faculty purchased the painting titled Untitled 4, in memory of two former faculty members who have died, Ricardo Almeida and Peter English. With her husband, poet Aaron Lee, she co-founded the Christian contemporary a cappella group Agapella, a home-grown 14-member contemporary Christian ensemble made of young professionals. A portrait of her friend and local singer Kit Chan was used as album cover illustration for Kit Chan's Dreamscape album. Known as Alaka’i Kapuananiokekukui Namiko, she directs the Singapore branch of a Hawaiian Hula Dance school called Laniakea, together with her husband. She had trained in ballet, flamenco and Middle Eastern dance for many years. She teaches hula auana, hula hahiko, and hula ho'ano under the direction of Kumu Lei. ==Art==

Charisse, a nude painting of a black woman representing "inner strength and determination of women of substance", was of Takahashi's friend and muse at the Art Students League of New York. ==Major exhibitions==