Asian American and Pacific Islander Artists
Celebrate the exceptional historical and contemporary creative cultural contributions made by Asian American and Pacific Islander artists with videos, stories, and more. With one of the nation’s most comprehensive collections of the arts of Asia, Mia is a vibrant resource for the appreciation of Asian cultural heritage, both past and present.
Recently, the global spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed a disproportionate impact on communities of color and an escalation of racism and xenophobia against Asians and Asian Americans. We condemn these discriminatory beliefs and behavior and reject actions of prejudice and intolerance against any community. We are committed to investing our resources to deepen our understanding and appreciation of our shared humanity across differences.
Explore the Art
Explore
Explore artwork by Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander artists in Mia’s collection.
Past Exhibitions
Teo Nguyen: Việt Nam Peace Project
July 30, 2022 – June 18, 2023
Teo Nguyen’s work invites contemplation and reflection on the Vietnamese people’s struggles toward peace and what the artist calls “the politics of worthiness.” In an act of reclamation that shines a light on Vietnam beyond the war, Nguyen’s photorealist paintings reference historic images by photojournalists documenting the war in Vietnam, but reimagine them without violence.
Amano Kazumi: Prints from the Kimm-Grufferman Collection
May 29, 2021 – May 29, 2022
From black and white figural designs to colorful, abstract forms, the work of Japanese print artist Amano Kazumi shows a constant metamorphosis.
Yee I-Lann: Picturing Power
April 23, 2022 – November 13, 2022
In this striking series of images, Yee I-Lann creates graphically distinctive photographic assemblages to address the legacies of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. By appropriating historical photographs sourced from colonial archives in the Netherlands and arranging them with her own photography, the artist provides new grounds for interpreting imperialism in Southeast Asia.
Program Videos
Watch videos about Asian American and Pacific Islander artists, including Tiffany Chung, Noriko Furunishi, Pao Her, Sieng Lee, Wing Young Huie, Chamindika Wanduragala, and Marcus Young
Self-Care through Art
Close Looking and Drawing Exercise
During these challenging and uncertain times, empathy and compassion are crucial as we care for others. And self-care is just as important. Art can be a powerful tool for helping us connect with and mediate our own emotions and feelings. Here you can engage in close looking and a drawing exercise inspired by a painting from Mia’s collection by Yayoi Kusama. Also, be inspired by optimistic words of hope from the artist herself about the Covid19 pandemic and resilience.
Arts of Asia
Whether you’re teaching in a new virtual environment or from your classroom, we’ve got you covered with resources designed to support the integration of Asian art and voices into your curriculum.
Virtual Care Package
Send this digital “Care Package” to someone in need of support, inspiration, healing, or creativity. Co-curated with members of the local Asian American Pacific Islander community, this virtual care package includes poetry, films, workshop, and more.