Interview with Ameena Fareeda
Ameena Fareeda is a freelance Illustrator and Designer who currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with a BFA in Illustration.
She describes her work as colorful and graphic, as she uses a simplified and decorative stylistic approach to her illustrations. She creates works that shed light on AAPI's cultural and social experiences. As an Indian Asian- American woman, Ameena believes it is important to create work that enhances the voices of the Asian American community. Creating work that sparks a sense of joy and curiosity through everyday nuances is her ultimate goal in illustrating.
How has being Asian-American influenced your art?
Being Asian American is interconnected between me and my artwork. My identity helped me create the artwork I make today. In my earlier years as a creative one of the primary reasons for creating artwork was so I could use it as a way to explore my identity. What did it mean for me to be Asian American? How does my identity influence the way I make art? I made paintings that encompassed my “Asian” side while I made collages and other 2D works that reflected my “American” side. Art was a way for me to explore my “Asian-ness” in today’s American society. I am still influenced on a daily basis by my identity which is reflected in my work as a celebration. I love to make work that celebrates the unique and colorful lives of the Asian American community. We are brought together by our culture, through food, music, clothing, tradition, etc. My goal as an Asian creative is to create illustrations and designs that are relatable and ignite a sense of happiness. Being an Asian creative is something I thought I wouldn’t have a chance to pursue, but I am thankful that my interest in AAPI community building led me to become an artist.
What role does your culture play in your creative process?
The creative process for me changes every day. I am inspired to create or make new things based on my experiences. I love to intertwine aspects of my culture within my work. Whether it's using symbolism or iconography that represents my heritage. Representing my Asian American culture is very important to me in my work. I love to intermix aspects of my heritage with the media I consume and thus create work that reflects who I am. In the planning process I tend to lean towards ideas that are more based on my Asian American experiences, but then add fun twists or a modern take on an idea.
Could you discuss any challenges you've faced as an Asian-American artist, if any?
One major challenge that I faced was an instance in which I had a project rejected by my peers for tackling issues of racism within the Asian American community. I was devastated at the lack of support by my peers since it was a project I was so passionate about illustrating. It is important to note that a majority of my peers were also Asian American, but I was notably one of the few South Asians amongst them. My project was created to address the internalized racism that exists within the process of assimilation to American society. I continued for the next few weeks to work hard on my project, but was ultimately encouraged to create a new body of work since no one was willing to provide feedback nor partake in the conversation that it ignited. I was very disappointed, but it made me realize that experiences like this means that the work is impactful. I was thankful that my teachers at the time encouraged my ideals and were thankful to see something stand out. I still have yet to go back to finish the project, but I am thankful for that experience as it showed me how perspectives can differ within the same community.
How did you first become interested in art, and what drew you to it as a profession?
I have always been drawn to more creative things since I was little. I used to draw a lot with crayons and markers, make homemade crafts, participate in musical events, and do anything that was remotely creative, I was interested in it. However, I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to pursue it as my profession. I originally wanted to be a teacher who taught Asian American Studies. I had always enjoyed drawing and creating things as a hobby but was never fully encouraged to become a full-time artist. I was thankful enough to be accepted into a prestigious art school and was able to hone my skills and gain the confidence to pursue a creative profession. Though it started as a hobby and something I wasn’t too sure about, I realized that I kept going back to wanting to do creative work. I am privileged to be able to be an Illustrator and Designer full-time.
You created a series of posters, Charts For Children, meant to help children with literacy and comprehension. Where did your inspiration come from for these illustrations?
I was directly inspired by the children I used to teach when I was a preschool teacher! I took a part-time position while I was in college and then continued to teach a few years after graduating. I taught 1-5 year olds so I was exposed to teaching in different methods. I decided to take a similar approach to my designs. I wanted to create something that was accessible to multiple age groups and to create literacy and comprehension posters was my way of repaying the students for all the inspiration they gave me. I developed and honed my graphic flat style through this series. It was such an amazing experience to have them teach me how to be creative with a new lens!
“My identity as an Asian American influences my work regularly, and I try my best to create unique stories and visuals that showcase them. I will admit as a full-time creative, I pay more attention to the diversity aspect a lot more than I used to. I hope to be a pillar of representation for Asian Americans, someone they can look up to and feel seen and proud to be part of the same community.”
