Grishma is a self-taught visual artist who enjoys working with various mediums to create art that can evoke a multi-sensory experience. With a background in psychology and a journey with disability which began at an early age, her artistic practice is a mirror which reflects the roller coaster that is life, with its joyful and painful moments.
Her inspiration behind her work is intertwined with her multiple identities. Through her use of materials from her Indian heritage and the materials she comes across in her explorations, she wants to reintroduce the disability experience, moving away from outdated narratives influenced by the medical model of disability towards a social model that understands disability as a natural part of the human experience. To learn about the social model of disability, click here.
In 2021, Grishma received the 3Arts Bodies of Work Residency where she led multiple workshops exploring the concept of "legacy" with community members and students from the School of Art Institute of Chicago. In 2022, as part of the 3Arts Disability Culture Leadership Initiative, Grishma shared her dream of curating a multi sensory exhibit which came to fruition in May of 2025 with the support of 3Arts "3AP" initiative. Her solo exhibit titled, "Dissonance: Physical Discomfort. Mental Disconnect. Merging Contradictions." was on display from May 16 to July 3, 2025 at the Bridgeport Art Center spanning across 5,000 square feet. Within this space, audiences discovered a decade-long project resulting in over sixty artworks reflecting Grishma's evolution as an artist and echoes of her journey naviagating labels society gave her, juxtaposed with a personal narrative that embraced all dimensions of her identity.
Featured Artworks
A Poster of a Workshop titled "Legacies & Lasting Impressions" with details of when the when the workshop was to be held. Two women appear on the poster. Upon deeper reflection, it appears to be the same woman, her image is mirrored.
As a part of the 3Arts Bodies of Work Residency, Grishma invited the community to reflect on legacy and the impressions they leave behind. Students and community members explored questions such as, How do we, artists, consider our legacy when creating new work? How do will feel society will remember us vs how do we want to be remembered?
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DISSONANCE Art Exhibit Video
2025
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Advocate Health Care Research Institute - Grishma's Story
2019
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.