In conjunction with our current exhibition, curator Shelly Bahl has organized a symposium that will investigate the ways in which South Asian American artists are contributing to and changing the landscape of American art.
The day-long symposium, featuring three discussion panels, will focus on the intersection of art practices, art histories, and arts education. The invited panelists will also share their insights on the opportunities and challenges they have encountered in the Chicago artistic community.
The symposium will address the need for recovering and preserving overlooked histories and art archival materials, as well as the pivotal roles of curators, art historians, educators, archivists and arts institutions within this context. We will also spotlight art collectives and community-building initiatives in Chicago that prioritize the narratives and works of racialized artists.
Schedule:
Registration and welcome: 11:00 am
11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Shadows Dance Within the Archives: Documenting and Preserving Asian American Art Histories
Laura Kina (chair): Artist and professor, DePaul University
Tara Kuruvilla: Lecturer, Art History, Columbia University
Sarita Heer: Lecturer, Art History, Loyola University Chicago
Alexander Yu: Community arts organizer
Lunch: 1:00 - 1:45pm
1:45 - 3:15 pm: Ustads and Gurus: The Role of Art Education and Mentorship Within the South Asian Diaspora
Shaurya Kumar (chair): Artist and professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Janhavi Khemka: Artist
Al-Qawi Nanavati: Artist and art educator
Melissa Raman Molitor: Artist, art therapist, and professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
3:30 - 5 pm Shadow Bodies Are Electric: Independent Artists and Curators Lighting Sparks
Shelly Bahl (chair): Artist, curator, and educator
Sadia Uqaili: Artist and Founder/Director of Explore Their Stories,
Asad Jafri: Artist, cultural producer, and community organizer
Pia Singh: Independent curator and arts writer
Closing remarks, catalog launch and reception: 5 - 6pm