Ria Kid

Being a queer Afghan-American, my mission as an artist is to humanize my experiences by creating immersive art that touches multiple senses at the same time, if not all. I’m a second-generation millennial that was creating my identity amidst the aftermath of 9/11 and during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. The last decade of my life has been devoted to my health as I am also a chronic pain survivor. I lost function of both my hands after a surgery to relieve pain and could barely brush my teeth let alone write, perform, or create art. As a result, I have been through a slew of vocations and experiences that have ultimately guided me to my creative journey. A Poly PACE and CSULB graduate, I anticipated my Human Development degree would lead me into the dark minds in forensic psychology or traveling to underdeveloped locations. Instead, it has led me to understanding the human experience from multiple perspectives and desiring to be understood that way as well.

My mission is to create nostalgia; for others to feel mine and for mine to become enmeshed in others. I want people to feel encompassed in my messages. I desire every sense to erupt in recognition of the pleasure, pain, wonder, and magic in each of my pieces and for the experience to generate more nostalgia afterwards.

For our emotions, our memories, to both be droplets in the same ocean.

The immersive experiences I create are connected to my books and music as well. I have a poetry book currently in the publication process entitled The Muse of Manifestations in which the art show, Chispa, is inspired by. I am a songwriter and vocalist for the indie-pop group, Good Company, and will also be performing at Chispa.