Co-curator / organizer with Naomi Nguyen
Be Nice + Kind to Yourself gathers works that explore the fragile balance between vulnerability and courage. Mai Ide’s art encourages introspection, both personally and collectively, as she investigates identity, cultural intersectionality, and societal expectations. The exhibition focuses on the transformative power of self-compassion, belonging, and language under oppression.
Ide’s multidisciplinary practice reflects her experiences as a Japanese-American immigrant, mother, and woman. Her work challenges the pervasive “otherness” of living in the U.S. by deconstructing and reassembling materials—often upcycled fabrics and traditional Japanese techniques like sashiko stitching. Through this process, she creates objects that unify fragility and strength.
As part of this exhibition, we were honored to invite Seattle-based Ikebana artist Kiyoko for a collaborative performance with Mai Ide, blending the meditative practices of both artists. Additionally, we hosted a workshop on traditional sashiko embroidery with Mai Ide, allowing visitors to engage hands-on with the techniques and themes present in the exhibition.
These works represent an ongoing conversation about how the human spirit can reclaim power and identity in a world insistent on erasure and marginalization. Ide invites us to consider the role of kindness, both to ourselves and others, when confronting barriers—be they linguistic, cultural, or social.
For example, Ide’s use of obi fabric serves as a metaphor for resilience in navigating societal structures fraught with violence and volatility. By arranging the fabric inside-out, exposing its hidden side, she emphasizes visibility, self-expression, and vulnerability. In this context, kindness becomes a radical act of resistance and healing.
The exhibition invites reflection on how we care for ourselves, embrace vulnerability, and how art can foster empathy, connection, and transformation. Be Nice + Kind to Yourself encourages us to navigate these complexities and realize the power of kindness as a form of self-liberation.
Littman and White Galleries, Portland, OR, USA
7 November 2024 – 10 January, 2025
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