I am an artist and designer, currently based in Toronto.
I create objects, images, and spaces that make you feel,
because
I believe
everything
should mean
something.
Annie Gao is an artist and industrial designer whose practice exists between functional design and conceptual art. Working across sculpture, installation, ceramics, jewelry, and spatial design, her work explores the psychological relationships people form with objects, materials, and environments. Drawing from research in consumer culture, sustainability, behavioral psychology, and architecture, she creates work that examines how designed spaces and objects subtly shape identity, emotion, and behavior.
Education
2021 - 2026 Industrial Design - Ontario College o f Art and Design University
2023 - 2024 Product Design - Glasgow School of Art
Experience
2025 - Present Ceramics Instructor - Pottery Lab
2024 - Present Ceramics Instructor - City of Toronto
2024 - 2025 Exhibition Design & Curator - 100 GARAGE
2023 - 2024 Ceramic Studio Monitor - Ontario College of Art and Design University
2023 - 2024 Exhibition Designer - DESIGNwith
2023 - 2025 Painting Instructor - City of Toronto
2023 Artist Talk - OCADU: Professional Practice
2022 - Present Woodshop Instructor - City of Toronto
Exhibitions
2026 GradEx 111 - Ontario College of Art and Design University
2025 GiaLoc: Design Group Show - RCHIVE 780 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1N6
2025 TUNNEL VISION - 1650 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M6P 3T2
2024 Circles: Group Show - 222 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 3B3
2022 Circular Design Exhibition - DesignWITH in partnership with Cadillac Fairview
Awards, Grants & Fellowships
2025 Ken Rodmell Bursary - OCAD U
2021 Mariko Miyazaki Entrance Scholarship - OCAD U
2019 Visual Arts award - Claude Watson Visual Arts Program