In Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s hands, art becomes a unifying anthem, bridging communities and fostering unity in the face of adversity
For Koktail’s Friday Future List this week, meet a New York-based multidisciplinary artist, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. She has made a significant impact with her public art campaign, “I Still Believe in Our City,” aiming to draw attention to the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes against AAPI New Yorkers, showcasing her commitment to addressing societal issues through her creativity.
Building Bridges of Belonging
Despite the challenges of carrying society’s pain, Amanda is proud of charting her own path to foster belonging, joy, and resilience in others. Her art serves as a bridge connecting communities, allowing them to heal and thrive. By engaging in deep conversations and taking long meditative walks, she taps into her neuroscience background from Columbia, emphasising the importance of countering the physical harm of ostracization through artistic endeavours.
From Trauma to Triumph
Amanda’s multi-disciplinary approach encompasses sculpture, large-scale murals, installations, and public art campaigns. Her creations tell a rebellious story, blending colours, patterns, textures, histories, and rituals to amplify marginalised voices. By focusing on creating spaces for healing and transformation, she aims to make a difference.
Jerome Hill Artist Fellow and Civic Practice Advocate
Amanda is a 2023 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow in Visual Arts and Civic Practice Artist in Residence with Poster House and the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Her project, GATHER, transformed Lincoln Center’s campus, examining how ceremony, sound, and textiles can inscribe new meanings to memory and foster unexpected belonging.
From Billboards to TIME Magazine: AAPI Resilience Celebrated
Amanda’s art series, “I Still Believe in Our City,” celebrating the resilience of the AAPI community, garnered global attention. Reclaiming billboards, bus shelters, subway tunnels, and the cover of TIME Magazine, her work reached millions. As an artist-in-residence with the NYC Commission on Human Rights, she elevated the AAPI narrative, confronting systemic racism and bringing forth a message of hope.
Recognition and Legacy
Amanda’s work has been showcased at the Cooper Union, Times Square, and Lincoln Center. Recognition from publications The New York Times, Harpers Bazaar, and the Guardian underscores the impact of her endeavours. Permanent collections at the Museum of the City of New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London solidify her legacy.
Advising for Positive Change
In 2023, Amanda was appointed to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, where she advises the President on how art can foster community well-being. This role further exemplifies her dedication to utilising art as a tool for positive societal change.
In the hands of Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, art becomes more than expression; it becomes a resounding anthem, bridging communities, and fostering a sense of unity in the face of adversity.
