APIDA Artists on the Rise!

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month is the perfect time to discover up-and-coming APIDA artists and check out their awe-inspiring work. Whether painters, actors, singers, dancers, or writers, members of the APIDA community have the unique advantage of bringing their rich cultures and compelling traditions into the art they produce. Let’s take a look at a few rising artists and their contributions to the telling of APIDA stories. 

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Samra Bashir is a Pakistani-American visual artist. Although she was raised in Pakistan, Bashir was born in Kuwait and has been living in Chicago for the past fifteen years. Bashir works across many mediums, but her most notable pieces are her glass paintings. Much of Bashir’s art is fueled by a desire to celebrate her background, as she aims to blend older, Islamic patterns with more modern techniques. She also incorporates Arabic calligraphy and geometric designs in her paintings, and shares her creative process with her local community through glass painting workshops. Samra shares on her website that painting on glass allows the light in any given room to bounce off painted areas and pass through unpainted areas, which makes the art truly come alive. Recently, her work has been exhibited at My Homeland: An Ode to the Art and Architecture of Pakistan at the Franklin Gallery in Niles, Illinois (2022) and is currently on display at What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago at the South Asia Institute (2024). Samra writes in her artist statement, “My work pays tribute to my roots, it celebrates my Islamic heritage and Pakistani culture. I have used my art as a means of connecting with my heritage while also supporting other immigrants to appreciate their own cultures and histories. Through my art, I aim to help people reconnect with their origins.” Photos of Samra’s paintings can be found here. 

A different kind of artist but just as inspiring in her work, Gloria Kim is a Korean-American singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ. Though she is young, Kim’s accomplishments are abundant. In 2020, Kim produced the featured track for Snapchat during AAPI month, and her song “Winter Without You” hit #4 on the International Top 20 Singles in China the year after. Her songs have been featured in popular TV shows such as Empire as well as in the film This is the Year, produced by Selena Gomez. However, Kim has been recognized for more than just her vocal talent, as she has received multiple honors for her songwriting. Kim has been nominated for the International Songwriting Award, and she was chosen to write and sing the official theme song for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Gloria Kim was also among many of the dazzling singers featured in Rolling Stone’s “10 Rising AAPI Artists You Need to Know” article, published in May 2023. My personal favorite Gloria Kim songs include “therapy,” “all of you,” and “back to the start”! 

Last but certainly not least, Irene Hsiao, Chinese-American dancer and writer, holds the title of 2024 Resident Artist at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art. Hsiao performs “in conversation with visual art” with improvised and site-specific dance pieces. Earlier this month, Hsiao put on a dance entitled “If the Sky Could Dream” with performer Menghua Guan, and participated in a post-performance discussion at the Heritage Museum. Another multi-talented artist, Irene Hsiao has essays and poems published in SF Weekly, Chicago Reader, The Cambridge Quarterly, and The Seattle Times, including this article on Asian American identities. Hsiao also holds degrees in English and Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, as well as a PhD in literature from the University of Chicago! 

In conclusion, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month provides a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate the diverse talents of APIDA artists. From the visually stunning glass paintings of Samra Bashir, which blend Islamic elements with modern-day artistic methods, to the musical achievements of Gloria Kim, who has gained international recognition for her singing, songwriting, and production skills, and the innovative dance and literary works of Irene Hsiao, who brings visual art to life through her performances and writing, these artists embody the rich cultural heritage and creative spirit of the APIDA community. Their contributions not only enrich the artistic landscape but also offer a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural narratives they represent. As we honor APIDA Heritage Month, let us continue to support and celebrate these rising artists and their remarkable contributions to the arts.