Upon Further Reflection

A dynamic mix of AAPI female-identified designers have been invited to participate in an important exhibition during NYCxDESIGN 2023 to both challenge and address the ideas of reflection through surface exploration, materiality, and self discovery for NY Design Week. The exhibition is co-curated by Lora Appleton (Female Design Council/kinder MODERN) and Andrea Hill (Tortuga Forma) together with the AAPIDA (Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance), Female Design Council and 3.1 Phillip Lim.

The show features both lauded and emerging AAPI, female-identified artists & designers of all backgrounds, acknowledging incredible diversity within the Asian community and the differences and beauty within it. Focusing on female-identified makers was intended to give a platform to the often underlooked magic and fierce reflection of this prolific community. We welcome visitors to discover the immense talent within this diverse and complex multi-community.

Early Bronze Age culture saw mirrors made of bronze in Southeast Asia, creating an assemblage of cultural and geographical reflecting points; later glass became a prime material used for mirrors at the start of the Han Dynasty. Mirrors have a history of being regarded as sacred objects having magical powers. They were used similarly as today but traded as tokens of affection, symbols of alliances between states, used in religious rituals, and as burial objects.

Self reflection is a key part of what is needed to grow as a human, a creative, a community member. Seeing reflections of self within others is also critical to growth within one’s career or craft; believing you can achieve what you see if only you can see it in yourself. Self reflection under the AAPI umbrella projects a blur asking the questions; how do I see myself; how do I see others; how do others see me? This charged concept of mirroring and reflection is of endless fascination, and especially for the AAPI community, who has struggled to be seen within the historically white-centric United States of America.

Learn more at uponfurtherreflection.net.