Immersed in multiple cultures, South Asian, American and disability, Grishma is a self-taught artist with formal training as a community psychologist. Believing one field informs the other, 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.
Grishma's work has been exhibited at the Bridgeport Art Center (2025), Schaumburg Township District Library (2025), Shire Law Group (2025), South Asian Institute (2024), Devonshire Cultural Center (2024), Illinois Chapter of Planned Parenthood (2023), Harper College (2023), Skokie Public Library (2022), Chicago Cultural Center (2019), Chicago Symphony Center (2018), Wentz Hall (2018), Meiley Swallow Theatre (2018), Harold Washington Library (2018) and Adler University (2017). In 2021, Grishma received the 3Arts/Bodies of Work Residency where she led multiple workshops exploring "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." is on display from May 16, 2025 to July 3, 2025 at the Bridgeport Art Center spanning across 5,000 square feet and filling both rooms of the third floor gallery. Within this space, audiences will discover a decade-long project resulting in over 60 artworks reflecting Grishma's evolution as an artist and echoes of a journey which navigate societal labels juxtaposed with a personal narrative, one that embraces all dimensions of her identity.
Featured Artworks
Paintings of arms and legs adorned in henna design tattoos.
A summary description of an exhibit titled "A South Asian Experience" on the left. A painting of a hand adorned in white henna designs on the right.
A young white boy is deep in thought as he looks at a painting of a young girl of color. With a saree draped over her head she smiles with closed eyes, dreaming of adventures.
Three paintings explore various intersecting identities.
(Left) a robotic arm, a woman aging (Middle) and a yogi with a leg prosthesis (Right)
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.