Masayo Simon on organizing and self-determination through art

Unveiling We are working toward a just world where… Communities have the skills, capacity and resources to organize themselves for change, collectively self-determine their needs and solutions, and control their own destinies.

Our fifth artwork in our We are working toward a just world where… series comes from Masayo Simon.

Masayo Simon

Masayo Simon learned to draw in the Pacific Northwest and has lived here for most of her life. She is passionate about using different storytelling mediums to explore the intersection of art, community building and activism. Masayo aspires to take after her grandma, an active busybody with a million hobbies who never sits down.

Artist’s Statement

Communities have the skills, capacity and resources to organize themselves for change, collectively self-determine their needs and solutions, and control their own destinies.

Our connection to one another is our most powerful tool of resistance. This piece is about using the bonds of community to create the world that benefits all.

More about the series

Launched in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, We are working toward a just world where… commissioned six unique Asian and Pacific Islander artists to create original artwork envisioning a world of solidarity, justice, and empowerment. Each artist was selected through an open call application process and chose one of APANO’s core values to illustrate. Their artwork reflects the depth of our experiences and envisions the shared future we want to see: a prosperous, healthy future in which our families and communities have the rights, recognition, and resources to truly thrive.

This project amplifies APANO’s cultural work strategy, which seeks to use creativity to center the voices and experiences of Asian and Pacific Islanders, shift harmful narratives, and envision alternatives. It was strongly inspired by Strong Families’ Mama’s Day and Trans Day of Resilience projects, which we encourage you to explore. Learn more about our cultural work here and read about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month here.