INTERWOVEN IDENTITIES:INTERSECTIONALITY IN ASIAN MENTAL HEALTH

"In Chinese culture, we don’t express our feelings. I cannot speak openly about mental health because it’s considered a weakness or even an insult. Through my work, I can ‘speak’ a visual language that hopefully opens up a verbal dialogue about mental health and wellness."

Cherie Leung

Emily Au
Reginald Balanga
Vridhhi Chaudhry
Fangdan Chen
Geoffrey Cheung
Ayumi Goto
Lux Gow-Habrich
Sarah Jihae Kaye
Cherie Leung
Phuong Nguyen
Emerald Repard-Denniston
Vivek Shraya
Aysia Tse
Lana Yuan

Mental health remains a quiet thread in many Asian communities, often hidden beneath the surface. Silence is seen as strength, and endurance mistaken for resilience. While mental health awareness grows across Canada, stigma within Asian communities persists, leaving many Asian Canadians hesitant to seek support or share their struggles.

We are all shaped by the stories we carry. Our identities are woven not only by appearance and association but by the invisible threads of memory, value, and experience passed down through generations. These connections shape how we see ourselves and engage with the world.

For many in the Asian diaspora, inherited narratives deeply impact mental well-being. Cultural values, family expectations, and social norms can nurture strength, but they can also breed silence, restraint, and a fear of vulnerability.

This project, in collaboration with Hong Fook, gently unravels these threads. Together, we can create space for healing—where vulnerability becomes a bridge, reconnecting us.   

We invite you to explore these exhibitions in the coming months