We are heartbroken over the surge in hate crimes against the Asian American community and are committed to using our platform to not only condemn racism, but shine a brighter light on those who lift us up. For this Inspired By series, we’d like to highlight some of those artists in the AAPI community and acknowledge the legacy they will leave behind for generations to come.
Yayoi Kusama
This Japanese artist is best known for her works in sculpture and installation, but her conceptual style knows no bounds. Her intense, large-scale environments are often dense and vibrant - inspired by the rise of Abstract Expressionism in the US. Her signature use of dots comes from the idea that everything in our world is obliterated and comprised of infinite dots is the theme of her art - and inspired artists like Andy Warhol to adapt a more avant-garde approach.
Steven Young Lee
Lee creates contemporary ceramic pieces resulting in perfectly imperfect sculptures. His work draws from historical ceramic objects as both a representation of individual cultures and outside influences. “That’s part of what’s interesting to me: Trying to use the material in a way that most people in ceramics are trying to avoid,” Lee has stated. His dedication to finding the beauty in “destruction” inspires us to always be pushing the envelope.
Sally Deng
This LA based artist, illustrator and author who’s mission is to evoke nostalgia and empathy. Deng’s soft landscapes, people and history in her paintings gives the audience a deeper appreciation of our natural world. Using different mixtures, textures, and mediums to reference different environments. We appreciate her emotional, sensual approach in creating her work.
This LA based artist, illustrator and author who’s mission is to evoke nostalgia and empathy. Deng’s soft landscapes, people and history in her paintings gives the audience a deeper appreciation of our natural world. Using different mixtures, textures, and mediums to reference different environments. We appreciate her emotional, sensual approach in creating her work.
Ruth Asawa was an American sculptor who received nationally recognition for her work with wire sculptures. The looped-wire design explores the relationship of interior and exterior volumes, creating, as she put it, "a shape that was inside and outside at the same time." Aside from her work as an artist, Asawa was a passionate advocate for art education, especially for children. She devoted much of her life to dedicated to the accessible of art programs.
Maya Lin
Maya Lin is an American designer and sculptor who is most known for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. While she is most notable for her work in historical structures, her work often focuses on the environment. According to Lin, she draws inspiration from the architecture of nature but believes that nothing she creates can match its beauty.
Maya Lin is an American designer and sculptor who is most known for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. While she is most notable for her work in historical structures, her work often focuses on the environment. According to Lin, she draws inspiration from the architecture of nature but believes that nothing she creates can match its beauty.
Isamu Noguchi
Noguchi’s artistic experimentation in sculptures, gardens, furniture and lighting designs, ceramics, architecture, and set designs has made him an icon in the art world. With a career spanning over 6 decades, his work has transformed and expanded in a way that has set a new standard for the reintegration of the arts. We are inspired by his ability to take inspiration from his own experiences and unabashedly explore new techniques to make it his own.
If you are looking for other ways to show your support, here are a few additional ways you can get involved:
Donate
Noguchi’s artistic experimentation in sculptures, gardens, furniture and lighting designs, ceramics, architecture, and set designs has made him an icon in the art world. With a career spanning over 6 decades, his work has transformed and expanded in a way that has set a new standard for the reintegration of the arts. We are inspired by his ability to take inspiration from his own experiences and unabashedly explore new techniques to make it his own.
If you are looking for other ways to show your support, here are a few additional ways you can get involved:
Donate
Stop AAPI Hate
The Center for Stop AAPI Hate tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Asian Law Caucus
Asian Law Caucus is to promote, advance, and represent the legal and civil rights of Asian Pacific Islander communities
Asian Mental Health Collective
It is the mission of the Asian Mental Health Collective to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community.
Educate
It's vital that we understand how racism has played out throughout history so we can move forward in more thoroughly addressing and eradicating this racism. Here are a few resources too help educate yourself on the issues facing the AAPI community:
“The Making of Asian America: A History”
“Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White”
"Asian American Stories in the Time of Coronavirus" YouTube docuseries
Call Your Local Leaders
Reach out to your congressman and ask what they are doing to ensure the safety of the Asian Community.
Report
Most importantly: if you see something, say something! If you witness or are targeted in an anti-Asian hate crime, or if you have any further information about another ongoing investigation, report it immediately to your local police, then file a report with the FBI.
“The Making of Asian America: A History”
“Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White”
"Asian American Stories in the Time of Coronavirus" YouTube docuseries
Call Your Local Leaders
Reach out to your congressman and ask what they are doing to ensure the safety of the Asian Community.
Report
Most importantly: if you see something, say something! If you witness or are targeted in an anti-Asian hate crime, or if you have any further information about another ongoing investigation, report it immediately to your local police, then file a report with the FBI.
XO,
Marisa
