Grishma is an Indian-American woman and a self-taught visual artist with a background in psychology whose journey with disability began at the age of sixteen with a cancer diagnosis. Grishma explores personal and societal contradictions through her mixed media work and installations. Her practice acts as a mirror reflecting the dissonance and allure found at the crossroads of culture and self-expression.
In 2021, Grishma received the 3Arts/Bodies of Work Residency where she led multiple workshops exploring the concept of "legacy" with disabled and non-disabled students from the School of Art Institute of Chicago, and community members. 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.
Grishma's upcoming solo art exhibition, RE-BIRTH is scheduled for a Summer 2027 premiere. While her previous work focused on personal dissonance, RE-BIRTH pivots the lens toward societal dissonance, exploring the uncomfortable truth of impermanence.
Featured Artworks
The Right Hour
A silhouette of two faces surrounded by a partial clock covered in hues of blue.
Collage of Artwork
An assortment of jellyfishes swimming.
Collage of Artwork
A collage of artwork consisting of young children and women wearing South Asian clothing.
Collage of Artwork
Various South Asian women adorned.
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.