Untangling: AANHPI Intergenerational Dialogues - Creates Space for Healing at Austin’s AARC
Written by James Russell | July 26, 2025
photos by James Russell
AUSTIN, TX – On July 26, the Asian American Resource Center in Austin opened its doors to a packed house for Untangling: AANHPI Intergenerational Dialogues, a multimedia exhibition and evening of shared stories, reflections, and generational healing. The collaborative project, led by artists Chie Endo and promqueen, offered more than just an art show—it was an invitation into the quiet spaces of memory, identity, and connection that often go unexplored in Asian American households.
From the moment guests entered the softly lit gallery, there was a sense that something personal was about to unfold. Conversations hushed as a short film began to play, weaving together interviews, ambient visuals, and striking portraits of AANHPI families. Focusing on mother-daughter and non-binary relationships, the film gently navigated themes of silence, queer identity, cultural pressure, and the invisible threads of resilience passed through generations. The audience sat still, some holding hands or wiping away quiet tears, as the film echoed feelings too often left unspoken.
When the lights rose, the room didn’t shift into a formal panel. Instead, artist and co-host promqueen stepped forward and welcomed everyone into an open conversation. There were no titles or name tags—just people speaking from the heart. Guests took turns sharing stories of strained communication, grief, joy, queerness, and the yearning to be understood by family. There were laughs, long pauses, and nods of recognition.
The tone remained gentle and grounded, thanks to promqueen’s presence, which carried a balance of soft humor, deep care, and vulnerability. What emerged was not a typical artist talk, but an unfolding—where strangers found connection in shared experience, and no one had to explain the weight behind their words.
Beyond the stories shared, Untangling: AANHPI Intergenerational Dialogues offered something rare: a space to simply exist without performance or explanation. In a city that often pulses with sound and celebration, the event carved out a space for stillness. And in that stillness, it made room for healing, honesty, and the kind of connection that ripples far beyond a single evening. The exhibit is on view at the Asian American Resource Center until October 5, 2025.
