Dissonance /dɪsənəns/: Physical Discomfort. Emotional Disconnect. Merging Contradictions.
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.
- $25Thank You On Social Media ($25.00 is tax deductible.)
- $50Above + Thank You PostCard ($47.00 is tax deductible.)
- $100Above + Name Listed In Programming Material ($92.00 is tax deductible.)
- $250Above + Art on Mug Of Artist Choosing ($217.00 is tax deductible.)
- $500Above + Artwork Print Of Artist Choosing ($425.00 is tax deductible.)
- $1000Above + Private Tour Of Exhibit ($900.00 is tax deductible.)
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- No updates yet, stay tuned!
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Yang Fei
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Reveca Torres
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Gianmarco Giacomelli
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Katherine Hagen
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Victor Cole
Thank you to the following for contributing to 3Arts with the recommendation that we support this project.
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3AP Presenting Partner:
Additional support provided by:
