Dissonance /dɪsənəns/: Physical Discomfort. Emotional Disconnect. Merging Contradictions.

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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 embrace about ourselves. This exhibit asks us to entertain the possibility that there are infinite ways to exist, each equally valuable. 

About This Project

"Find things beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful." - Vincent Van Gogh 

In a single quote, Van Gogh captures the duality of dissonance I feel as a disabled South Asian woman—simplicity merging with profound complexity.

I have considered myself an artist from childhood, painting to work through my feelings and process the world around me when words weren’t enough. Artmaking became an extension of my new body after a cancer diagnosis and amputation. Like other artists, my physical and mental body gets tired during this creative process, but creating is vital. It fuels my spirit. It acknowledges my existence. In my art, I weave together the threads of my identities, examining how others perceive me through the labels that have been defined for me, rather than by me. Inspired by my South Asian heritage I strive to honor both India, the land that birthed me and American culture that has helped shape me. 

As I navigate the physical discomfort and emotional disconnect within this body of work, I invite you to reflect on your own relationship with disability, femininity, beauty, skin tone, status, encouraging deeper introspection of the contradictions you or your loved one’s face.

“Dissonance” will be showcased at the Bridgeport Arts Center in Spring 2025, featuring over 20 artworks that delve into the contradictions that surround us—some that consume us, permeating our lives. This exhibition invites us to theorize about their origins and purpose, if any. 

I want you to be curious about the dissonance in your life and to be open about learning how dissonance influences our identities. 

As I prepare for this exhibition, I am seeking your financial support to bring it to life! Your generous contributions will help cover essential expenses, including venue rental, paying our vendors for artwork printing, framing, and installation. Together, we can inspire audiences to pause and reflect on the contradictions present in their lives and the impact they make. 

With so much beauty existing in the world, how is it possible that many of us often fail to find beauty in the things and people amongst us?

Thank yous

Contribute any amount or choose from the levels below.

• $25
  Thank You On Social Media ($25.00 is tax deductible.)
• $50
  Above + Thank You PostCard ($47.00 is tax deductible.)
• $100
  Above + Name Listed In Programming Material ($92.00 is tax deductible.)
• $250
  Above + Art on Mug Of Artist Choosing ($217.00 is tax deductible.)
• $500
  Above + Artwork Print Of Artist Choosing ($425.00 is tax deductible.)
• $1000
  Above + Private Tour Of Exhibit ($900.00 is tax deductible.)

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Grishma Shah

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 …

View Grishma Shah's profile

• 3 updates
• 44 supporters

• Update 1: Week 1 Update

  Posted on November 05, 2024

   

  Hi Community! Week 1 Update! In 3 days of the campaign going LIVE we reached 1/3 of our goal and 3Arts matched another 1/3! We are less than 2K away from reaching 6K! A big thank you to everyone that has donated!
  Update 2: 1 Week To Go!

  Posted on December 08, 2024

   

  My oh my... how time flies.

  I'm deeply moved by the incredible support from so many people— through donations, pledges, or simply sharing in the excitement. It’s been a truly humbling experience, reaffirming that although our individual journeys may differ, the emotions we experience are often the same.

  We are nearly at the end of the campaign with less than one week to go! Here's to getting to the finish line.

  Greater Together.

   

  Update 3: Project Funded

  Posted on December 14, 2024

   

  A big thank you to all of you for your support! We made it to our campaign goal by our deadline! 

  If you opted in for the special rewards, I'll be in touch with you directly after the holidays!

  As May 2025 nears, please stay tuned for more details regarding the Dissonance exhibit!

  Happy Holidays!

  Grishma. 

• Thank you to the following for contributing to 3Arts with the recommendation that we support this project.

  • Yang Fei

  • Reveca Torres

  • Gianmarco Giacomelli

  • Katherine Hagen

  • Victor Cole

  • ranell Shubert

  • Allan and Jan Bergman

  • Matt Lauterbach

  • Judah Viola

  • SEBASTIAN DIAZ MARIÑO

  • Cassidy Dimon

  • Lauren Kalinoski

  • Kaitlyn Yang

  • Violet Elliot

  • Jim LeBrecht

  • Elaine Hall

  • Sara Fischer

  • Risa Rifkind

  • Jennifer Wolff

  • Sarah Michaelson

  • Yang Fei

  • Noe Torres

  • Mikaela McParlan

  • Carrie Sandahl

  • Penny Brown

  • Azeema Akram

  • Rachael Pelzer

  • Akili Davis

  • lex Sloan

  • Anita Mulye

  • Anna Andersen

  • Anonymous Supporter

  • Robin Malpass

  • Amit Mittal

  • Lawrence Carter-Long

  • Sara Slawnik

  • Kruti Shah

  • Craig Guibas

  • Anonymous Supporter

  • Jacob Bloomfield-Misrach

  • Anahita Monga

  • Jagu patel

  • David Thoele

  • Anonymous Supporter

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