Kathy Phan

Khổ Qua is a watercolor painting of Vietnamese bitter melon soup—a dish my mom made often, even if I didn’t love the taste. In Vietnamese, khổ qua means “to overcome hardship,” and over time, it’s come to represent the strength of Vietnamese Americans after the Fall of Saigon and the resilience of AANHPI communities in the face of anti-Asian hate during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. You don’t completely get over the bitterness; you navigate it together, held by your community.

I’m Kathy Phan, a Vietnamese American illustrator in Austin, Texas, creating watercolor art inspired by food, culture, and all the feelings that come with them. My work celebrates the flavors and stories that shape who we are: bitter, sweet, and everything in between.

Ashley Adams

The Methley plum, a Texas-grown hybrid of Japanese and American varieties, flourishes in the overlap of cultures—just like Ashley Adams. With a Japanese grandmother and an American grandfather, she’s shaped by both sides of her family’s story. In her work, she repurposes secondhand textiles, giving new life to what’s been passed down or left behind. Each piece reflects a respect for history and a drive to make something lasting from what already exists.

Lian Chao

Lian is a Taiwanese-American artist exploring her cultural roots through art and everyday rituals. Rice, a staple of her upbringing, connects her to home, family, and heritage. This sculptural piece expresses Lian’s connection with the food of her culture.

While Texas grows some rice in an area called the Texas Rice Belt, the increasing availability of Asian rice varieties helps bridge the gap between identity and place, bringing a sense of home closer.

Jung Kwak

Perilla leaves are highly valued in Asia, but they are often regarded as a weed in the West. These leaves have a distinctive flavor and are versatile enough to be used in many different ways within Asian cuisine. Their adaptability serves as a metaphor for the resilience and resourcefulness of the people.

The creative process of clay serves as a profound teacher in patience, quietness, and letting go. Just as the unique characteristics of wood grain tell a story, I explore texture and marbling techniques to create a distinct tactile language in clay. Creating from the earth is inspirational, each transformation unfolds to reveal the final form.

Annabelle Murray

This piece explores the duality of my childhood relationship with food—comfort and bitterness—through imagery of vegetables my parents grew in our backyard. Bitter melon, once my least favorite, now symbolizes the emotional resilience I’ve developed as a first-generation Filipino American. Eggplant, a favorite, represents moments of warmth and joy I continue to savor and hold onto.

Benh Pham

‘Feels Familiar’ transforms a ginger root into sterling silver, honoring its deep roots in Asian culture and cooking. The piece explores how everyday ingredients carry comfort, connection, and a sense of home. By shaping the ginger in metal, I connect my identity as both an Asian American and a metalsmith. It stands as a small monument to the ways I stay grounded—to my culture and my craft.