VISIBLE: Asian and AAPI Artists in America

visible: asian and aapi artists in america

July 3 - August 14, 2021

press release

Ro2 Art is proud to present VISIBLE: Asian and AAPI Artists in America, a group exhibition featuring new works by 17 artists. The show will run from July 3 through August 14, 2021. The exhibition will open with a reception at Ro2 Art Downtown located at 110 N. Akard St, Dallas, TX and will take place from 7-10 PM. RSVP via Eventbrite.

In an open letter dated April 15, to Art Forum, calling on the publication to end its silence on Asian Hate, Gu Qianfan, He Xiangyu, Sammi Liu,Danielle Shang, Li Zhenhua, Wang Xin, Weng Xiaoyu, Xu Wenka wrote: '[We] have been calling on the art media, as we carry on our long-term anti-racism work, to amplify Asian voices and demands...These crucial forms of media coverage have been so far glaringly missing. We are, once again, invisible.'

VISIBLE: Asian and AAPI Artists in America aims to shine a light on Asian and AAPI contributions to culture while working to combat anti-Asian bias. The show will feature boundary-pushing work in various media, from painting, printmaking, and drawing to fiber, clay, bronze, and steel.
This exhibition features works by: Elizabeth Akamatsu, Eliza Au, Jihye Han, Suguru Hiraide, Loc Huynh, Sonali Khatti, Bumin Kim, Yeonsoo Kim, Kevin Kwon, Shua Kwon, Yuni Lee, Yasuyo Maruyama, Anh-Thuy Nguyen, DJ Perera, Nishiki Suguwara-Beda, Narong Tintamusik, and Sangmi Yoo.
VISIBLE takes up space in the heart of the city as a declaration against xenophobia, elucidated through texture, color, and form. Each artist pushes the limits of their respective materials. Through aesthetics, this exhibition gives voice to the myriad experience of Asian and AAPI artists navigating contemporary American society.

about the artists

Elizabeth Akamatsu was born in Yokosuka, Japan and grew up in Southern California. She received her BFA in Southern Illinois University and BA in California State University. She earned an MFA degree in metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University and Sam Houston University. She works as a sculptor and metalsmith artist. She can be found @elizabethakamatsu on Instagram.

Eliza Au is originally from Canada and currently works as an Assistant Professor of Ceramics at the University of North Texas. She received her BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. She can be found @eliza_au on Instagram.

Jihye Han received her BFA in sculpture and ceramics from the University of North Carolina in 2016. She is currently a MFA candidate in ceramics at the University of North Texas in 2021. Her recent works are exhibited in Fort Worth Community Arts Center for 2020-21. Her work consists of ceramics and mixed media work that draw experience from Korean culture. She can be found @hjhalice on Instagram.

Suguru Hiraide was born and raised in Japan. He received his BFA in Sculpture and Graphic Design from West Virginia University and MFA in Sculpture from California State University. He currently teaches Sculpture and Metals at Midwestern State University in Texas. His recent exhibitions were held in the Kanagawa Prefectural Gallery in Japan and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. He can be found @suguru.hiraide on Instagram.

Loc Huynh received his BFA from Texas State University in 2016 and his MFA from the University of North Texas in 2020. He currently lives and works in Denton, Texas. His exhibitions include Baby Blue Gallery, Chicago, Wilkinson Gallery, New York, and many more. He can be found @locxhuynh on Instagram.

Somali Khatti was born and raised in New Jersey and now has a studio in Dallas, Texas. She received her BFA from The Rhode Island School of Design and also earned a Post-graduate Diploma in Asian Art from the University of London. She works as a mixed media artist and her work is inspired by her Indian heritage and travels to India. She can be found @sonali_khatti on Instagram.

Bumin Kim is from Korea and received her MFA in Drawing and Painting in 2015 from the University of North Texas. She explores the transformative power of materiality at play and works with thread and string to emphasize the energy and delicacy of painting and drawing. She received her award at the 30th annual international competition and exhibition in 2017 and her works have been exhibited at many places including Pulse Art Fair in FL and Dallas Art Fair. She can be found @buminkim on Instagram.

Yeonsoo Kim was born in Haenam, South Korea and currently works as a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. He received his BFA in Ceramics and Glass from Hongik University in Seoul, Korea and an MFA in Ceramics at Lamar Dodd School of Art. Inspired by Korean onggi ceramics, Kim works with earthenware to create works exploring identity and the processes of daily life. He can be found @yeonsooceramics on Instagram.

Kevin Kwon was born in Korea and currently lives and works in Colorado. He received his MFA in Fine Arts from the Corcoran School of Art and Design at George Washington University. He primarily works in painting with his background in graphic design informing his style. He can be found @kxvxx on Instagram.

Shua Kwon was born in Dallas, TX and currently works as a Visual Art Teacher at the nonprofit, Big Thought in Dallas, TX. She received her Associate of Arts in Fine and Studio Arts at Brookhaven College of the Arts and a BFA in Sculpture and Social Practice from Kansas City Art Institute. She is primarily an installation and sculpture artist. She can be found @scum.sculptor on Instagram.

Yuni Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea and currently lives and works in Denton, Texas. She received her BA in Art and Performance from the University of Texas at Dallas and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of North Texas. She works with vibrant and juxtaposing colors, combining geometric shapes with organic patterns. She can be found @yunilee777490 on Instagram.

Yasuyo Maruyama was born in Kanagawa, Japan and currently lives and works in Texas. She received her BFA and MFA in Painting from Tokyo Zokei University. She primarily works with oil paint, showcasing a contemporary realist style. She can be found @yasuyo.maruyama on Instagram.

Anh-Thuy Nguyen is a multi-media/transdisciplinary artist based in Tucson, Arizona. She currently works as the head of the photography program at Pima Community College. She received her BFA in Photography from the University of Arizona and an MFA in Photography/Video from Southern Methodist University. Her work utilizes video, photography and performance to investigate conflicting emotions in haunting manifestations of gain and loss. She can be found @anh_thuynguyen on Instagram.

DJ Pereira is a Sri Lankan artist based in Fort Worth, Texas. He currently works as a Fine Arts Teacher in Fort Worth ISD. He received his BFA in Painting from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute. His recent works focus on a hyper-detailed monochromatic pointillism style. He can be found @djperera22 on Instagram.

Nishiki Sugawara-Beda was born in Japan and currently works as an Assistant Professor of Art at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She received her BA in Fine art from Portland State University and an MFA in Painting from Indiana University. She primarily works on a 2D surface with experiments in 3D expression and video.

Narong Tintamusik was born in Bangkok, Thailand and currently working in Dallas, TX. He received his BS in Biology from the University of Texas at Dallas with a minor in visual arts. On top of being a practicing contemporary artist, he founded “Musik” (@musik_curatorial) in 2020, a virtual curatorial platform that offers solo exhibitions to artists without gallery representation. He can be found @narong.tintamusik on Instagram.

Sangmi Yoo was born in Korea and currently works as the Associate Director of Art at Texas Tech University. She received her BFA in Painting from Seoul National University and an MFA in printmaking from Ohio State University. Yoo works explore the ideas of memory and homes through prints and installation. She can be found @sangmiyooliving on Instagram.