What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago

South Asia Institute (SAI) fosters and presents the art and culture of South Asia and its diaspora through curated exhibitions, educational initiatives and innovative programs. We serve as a hub for experimentation in visual, cultural and literary experiences. SAI collaborates locally and globally to engage communities, support artistic production and cultivate cultural appreciation.

South Asia Institute

A symposium organized by curator Shelly Bahl to conclude our exhibition, featuring artists, academics, writers, and organizers.

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 am11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Shadows Dance Within the Archives: Documenting and Preserving Asian American Art HistoriesLaura Kina (chair): Artist and professor, DePaul UniversityTara Kuruvilla: Lecturer, Art History, Columbia UniversitySarita Heer: Lecturer, Art History, Loyola University ChicagoAlexander Yu: Community arts organizer and co-editor of riksha magazineLunch: 1:00 - 1:45pm1:45 - 3:15 pm: Ustads and Gurus: The Role of Art Education and Mentorship Within the South Asian DiasporaShaurya Kumar (chair): Artist and professor, School of the Art Institute of ChicagoJanhavi Khemka: ArtistAl-Qawi Nanavati: Artist and art educatorMelissa Raman Molitor: Artist, art therapist, and professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago3:30 - 5 pm Shadow Bodies Are Electric: Independent Artists and Curators Lighting SparksShelly Bahl (chair): Artist, curator, and educatorSadia Uqaili: Artist, curator and educatorAsad Jafri: Artist, cultural producer, and community organizerPia Singh: Independent curator and arts writerClosing remarks, catalog launch and reception: 5 - 6pm

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What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago

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What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago

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