Community Spotlight: Ruhee Maknojia
Sponsored by Comcast
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2024 with our calendar of live events, recommendations, and on-demand content!
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people — and our work to advance cultural exchange is possible in large part thanks to the community partners with whom we've collaborated over the years. Each of these numerous organizations and individuals brings a unique background and area of expertise that, combined with their passion and generosity, help strengthen and enrich our programs, from innovative arts to energetic festivals and camps to lively panel discussions.
Through our Community Spotlights, we're excited to shine a light on some of our partners with whom we've been fortunate to collaborate over the years.
About Ruhee Maknojia
Ruhee Maknojia is a promising contemporary artist in Houston telling stories about history, aesthetics, and power through dazzling, intricate paintings that reference South Asian textile patterns. She received an MFA in visual arts from Columbia University, and is a rising star to watch.
As the Nancy C. Allen Curator and Director of Exhibitions at Asia Society Texas, Owen Duffy's job entails organizing art exhibitions that promote the work of Asian and Asian American artists. He shares, "It's important for me to follow Houston's art scene and the talent that is blooming here. Ruhee is an artist I greatly admire here in Houston, and a key member of the creative community."
See more: Artist Website | Instagram
How our partnership began
Ruhee first officially partnered with AST during Artists on Site in 2022. The annual residency program invites four Houston artists to work at AST for six weeks, transforming the galleries into public art studios. Ruhee was a model resident, creating a vibrant installation by the conclusion of her residency, and always being welcoming to visitors.
Since then, Ruhee has collaborated with lululemon to design a special-edition T-shirt for AST's annual Night Market festival, and has participated in our annual Tiger Ball auction.
What we enjoy about partnering with Ruhee
Owen writes, "Not only is Ruhee's work relevant and visually arresting, she's an absolute joy to work with! She is always open-minded, flexible, and enthusiastic, and a great catalyst for community-building. I can't imagine a better artist-partner."
What Ruhee enjoys about partnering with us
Ruhee shares: "I am a painter and installation artist, and I find partnering with Asia Society Texas to be a meaningful collaboration due to the institution's commitment to fostering mutual understanding among peoples. The platform provided by Asia Society Texas allows me to share my work with a larger audience, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
"Within my art practice, I am interested in exploring Asian mythology and how centuries-old philosophical concepts and literary characters can impart wisdom to contemporary society. My personal mission is to explore, celebrate, and learn about the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Asian and American traditions, making it a natural and fulfilling partnership."
What we're looking forward to next!
Owen writes, "More collaborations! We always have exciting exhibitions on the horizon. Recently, Ruhee has been making a series of paintings about the moon, which we hope to include in an upcoming Space City group exhibition that will bring together artists who are investigating outer space in their work."
About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.
At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.
Presenting Sponsor of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Sponsors of APAH Month
Comcast
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Media Sponsor
APAH Month 2024 Calendar
Digital Calendar Interactive/Printable PDF
Past APAH Month Calendars
2023: Highlights | Details
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
