Kiana Shibata (she/her)

Bio

Kiana is a Japanese American grad student currently studying occupational therapy at San Jose State University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Japanese at UCLA where she also found one of her biggest passions-taiko! She enjoys making music, crocheting, and learning about ways to dismantle systems of oppression.

Solidarity Arts Fellowship reflection

The solidarity arts fellowship provided me with a safe, nurturing space to explore my history and experiences as well as Muslim American histories and experiences in the U.S. With the support of my other fellows, I was able to broaden my perspectives and critically look at some of the systems I grew up in. Through the voices of our elders I was able to remain hopeful and build a solid foundation in the arts and social justice that I know I will carry with me for years to come.

Object of resilience

I chose two jars of cranes as my objects of resilience that both hold 1,000 cranes each. During the toughest times and moments when I am feeling down or lost, I often fold cranes to get through it, and during the pandemic I was able to fold over 3,000 cranes! I see each crane as one step closer to feeling my best again.