Grishma, a self-taught painter immersed in culture from her South Asian roots, pursued careers in psychology and public health while also engaging her true passion in the visual arts. From the age of 16, she had a story to share. Grishma became a young person diagnosed with a tumor, who would acquire a physical disability. As the years went by, the story became much more than just about her — it became about the way society perceives women with disabilities. This was the impetus for her first art exhibit in 2018 titled The South Asian Perspective, from her lived experiences grappling with biases, both conscious and unconscious, as a woman of color and as a woman with a disability.
Grishma hopes her community will soon welcome her with all her identities, and others like her. Aiming to make people more comfortable with disability as a valued identity, Grishma is inspired by stories, culture, and identities that often create contradictions. Her unique style incorporates spices and repurposed materials, adding depth and dimension that can be felt and seen. By emphasizing accessibility, she documents the diverse experiences of womanhood and the many ways people exist in the world, advocating there is more than one right way to be.
Grishma's work has been exhibited at the South Asian Institute (2024), Devonshire Cultural Center (2024), Illinois Chapter of Planned Parenthood (2023), Harper College (2023), Skokie Public Library (2022), Chicago Cultural Center (2019), Chicago Symphony Center (2018), Wentz Hall (2018), Meiley Swallow Theatre (2018), Harold Washington Library (2018) and Adler University (2017), to name a few. In 2021, Grishma received the 3Arts/Bodies of Work Residency where she explored her interests in "legacy" by leading workshops with students from the School of Art Institute of Chicago, her vibrant disability arts community and disability allies. In 2022, as part of the 3Arts Disability Culture Leadership Initiative, Grishma shared her reasoning for creating art and how she believes art can be more immersive when information reaches multiple senses. Currently, Grishma is creating a multi-sensory exhibit titled Dissonance, which will premiere in Chicago, Spring of 2025.
Featured Artworks
Paintings of arms and legs adorned in henna design tattoos.
A summary description of an exhibit titled "A South Asian Experience" on the left. A painting of a hand adorned in white henna designs on the right.
A young white boy is deep in thought as he looks at a painting of a young girl of color. With a saree draped over her head she smiles with closed eyes, dreaming of adventures.
Three paintings explore various intersecting identities.
(Left) a robotic arm, a woman aging (Middle) and a yogi with a leg prosthesis (Right)
As a part of the 3Arts/Bodies of Work Residency, Grishma invites the community to converse with her about Legacies & Lasting Impressions. Questions to explore: Do disabled artists consider their legacy when creating new work? How will society remember us? How do we want to be remembered?
Grishma Shah has crowd-funded a project with 3AP
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- $6,410 raised of $6,000 goal
- 0 Days 0:00:00 LEFT
Dissonance is Grishma Shah’s upcoming solo art project. This exhibit invites audiences to take a deeper dive into the contradictions that shape our identities and communities. The artworks will highlight parts we have no control over and the truths we …
Read more about Dissonance /dɪsənəns/: Physical Discomfort. Emotional Disconnect. Merging Contradictions.