Burmese

Patient: Koot • Artist: Valerie Win Liu

This piece is inspired by Koot’s journey of protest, migration, resilience, and belonging. Through this illustration, I aim to highlight Koot’s story of advocacy for democracy while also capturing the vibrant spirit of Thingyan, the Burmese New Year Water Festival. Thingyan, meaning “changing over,” symbolizes new beginnings, cleansing, and community.

Central to this piece are the foods Koot recalled—Mohinga, ohn no khao swè, samosas, balachaung, mont kywe the, falooda, and more. I also wanted to incorporate rituals of good fortune, such as releasing birds and fish, which represent wishes for health and well-being.

By weaving together elements of protest, tradition, play, and celebration, this illustration aims to honor both the struggles and the joys of Koot’s story, and Myanmar’s collective identity.

About the Artist: 

Valerie Win Liu is Burmese-Chinese-American Artist, Illustrator, and Designer from the Bay Area. They like to work with a variety of mediums: paint, mixed media, sculpture, upcycled materials, digital art, comics, and more. In their work, Valerie likes to explore themes such as Joy, Queerness, Humor, Curiosity, and Discovering ways to encourage/spotlight self expression. Liu likes to indulge in feelings like joy, found family, silliness, curiosity, and hope. 

Since their graduation from the BFA Illustration program at California College of Art in San Francisco, Valerie has been working with a variety of clients to bring their ideas and projects to life. They’ve collaborated and worked with clients such as HopeLab, the Emergency Medicine Foundation, Stanford School of Medicine, The Chinese Culture Center and more—to create illustrations, editorial work, murals and designs to be incorporated into their projects. 

Cantonese

Patient: Hai Yan • Artist: Chloe Ng

Inspired by tai chi's place in Hai Yan's life, this illustration depicts Hai Yan practicing tai chi with her community. Tai chi has been central to Hai Yan's life since her childhood in Foshan. Now in Oakland, it's become a way for her to connect with people of all cultures. While each person wears the same uniform, their poses vary slightly, showing unity amongst differences. They are framed by a blend of plants and scenery found in Foshan and Oakland, representing how tai chi connects Hai Yan with both her homes. In Hai Yan's own words, "practicing tai chi together with friends is vital.”

About the Artist: 

Chloe Ng is a Cantonese American designer who enjoys the tactile artistry of print. Her riso practice explores soft textures and vibrant colors to express dreamlike visions of life.

Karen

Patient: Zar Blue • Artist: Duachaka Her

In this illustration, I want to capture Zar Blue living her best life. Important things to her are good health, community, and education. To her, good health means being able to walk, move around, and help others, like taking her children to school. I picture her walking her children to school or Chinatown and strolling past a mural. Oakland has a strong presence of street art and murals, which is a perfect way to capture her life. Each tier reflects significant parts of her journey, from her upbringing in the refugee camps to the support and sense of community she receives from the Asian Health Services and her church.

About the Artist: 

Duachaka Her is a Hmong-American cartoonist and illustrator from Wisconsin. She is the author and illustrator of comic books The Collection and Then and Now. Most of her work is inspired by aspects of her Hmong-American identity and experiences.

Khmer

Patient: MeasYorn • Artist: Learkana Chong

This artwork is inspired by the story of a Cambodian elder who came here as a refugee and experienced challenges with adjusting to a new environment. In his reflection, he described AHS as being a second home, and how important public transportation is for him to be able to access health services. Because of this, I decided to illustrate him riding the bus with the AHS building in the background, engaging in a conversation with a friend he just made. 

In this piece, I chose to represent the subject's heritage by having him wear a krama, a traditional Khmer scarf. When I think of belonging, I think of how important it is to be seen, respected, and accepted for all that you are, including one's culture. This is why I chose to depict the subject comfortable in his own skin in a public setting: smiling, at ease, and uninhibited with expressing himself, even if there may be a language barrier. I also chose to situate the scene among clouds in the sky, to visually represent a feeling of weightlessness that can come with having your basic needs of safety, health, and belonging met through access to resources and support.

About the Artist: 

Learkana Chong is a multiethnic Khmer and diasporic Asian digital illustrator. While Learkana grew up and currently resides in California's Central Valley, a huge part of her heart remains in Oakland, her first political home and where she lived for nearly 15 years. Her vibrant art is inspired by everyday people, social movements, and cats, and she is proud to say that her work hangs on the walls of some very cool people.  A self-taught visual artist and cross-disciplinary creative, Learkana is committed to continually growing and evolving her artistic practices in support of the humanity of people at the margins and the liberation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color. You can find more of her work at www.learkana.art or her Instagram @artbylearkana

Korean

Patient: Abraham • Artist: Asia Kang

'Family' is often a word that tugs the heart. For Abraham, family became the compass that guided him across oceans, from South Korea to the United States, where his two sons had already established lives. Leaving behind the familiar tapestry of his homeland — its conveniences, relationships, and possibilities — Abraham began painting a new existence here.

The Son family continues to navigate the delicate balance of creating community in America while honoring the vibrant threads of their Korean heritage. I've attempted to capture that liminal space where love and longing intersect, where hope blooms alongside nostalgia, and where the beauty of beginning anew coexists with the ache of what was left behind.

In Abraham's ongoing search for emotional grounding in the U.S., we witness the universal human journey of belonging — both to the places we come from and the homes we create with those we love.

About the Artist: 

Asia Kang is a Korean American illustrator and designer based in the Bay Area. She likes discovering little pockets of magic in familiarity, like the sun swirling light into her morning tea or the soothing hum of her air humidifier. She aims to encapsulate these softer moments of reflection, gratitude, and warmth through her drawings. She works mainly in gouache, colored pencils, and digital tools. When she's not doodling, she can be found making shortbread cookies, thrifting for ceramics, or watching Elden Ring playthroughs.

Mien

Patient: Farm • Artist: Asia Saechao

Farm Dorc
linoprint on cotton, metal & glass beads, cotton embroidery thread
24x20

In an Iu Mien origin story, the world was brought to life through a tapestry, embroidered by Faam Dorc on a large piece of indigo dyed fabric. Faam Dorc spent many days and nights working without rest to bring forth an elaborate Earth teeming with life. “Farm Dorc” honors the labor, love, and joy of Iu Mien women, and Farm’s life story. The two differently (indigo) dyed pieces of fabric speak to Farm’s intimate experience with shadow - the shadow of sorrow and grief that she left behind in her homeland on one hand, and the light of hope and joy in a new homeland on the other. It also celebrates the fullness that Iu Mien women still find (in food, singing, dancing) in spite of the shadow of invisible labor (like emotional labor and caregiving). Like many Iu Mien people assigned female at birth before her and many after, Farm has carved out a full life alongside her shadows, embodying the essence of Faam Dorc. 

About the Artist: 

Asia Saechao (they/them) is a queer descendent of indigenous Khmu and Iu Mien refugees of the US's Secret War in Laos, who settled on the unceded territory of Xucyun - homeland of Lisjan (Ohlone) peoples, now known as the East Bay Area. They’re a self-taught and emerging interdisciplinary artist, and cultural worker who weaves their creative practice with their community/cultural work, environmental justice, and collective liberation. Asia uses visual and literary art to reflect on their identities and relationship to place, Land, and spirituality/spiritual inheritance. They won first place in the Preserving Heritage Photojournalism Competition by the Asian Law Alliance (2023), and most recently organized and produced the Homecoming: Visions of Home, Safety, and Belonging art exhibition for the Cold Rice Creative Cohort project as the Lead Artist (2024). When they aren’t creating art, they're dabbling in agroecology as a land steward and farmer-in-training, aiming to embody their ancestors' land-based traditions while grounding in local/global food, social, and political movements.

Mandarin

Patient: Jia Qi • Artist: Lia Tin

Reading Jia Qi’s story resonated with me and transported me back to the time when I moved here to the States.

I remember moving to the Bay Area with my mom, we barely knew anyone and were very timid when it came to speaking English. It was a confusing and uncomfortable chapter of our lives. But when we heard about Oakland Chinatown nearby, we were ecstatic. Our family originally moved from China to Indonesia in the 1940s. We are ethnically Chinese though we don’t speak the language. Even though there is a language barrier, we always feel like we belong. I’m glad that Jia Qi has made adjustments through the community she’s made with her fellow tai chi fan dancers. It can be tough to be away from your loved ones halfway across the world. But having a community while doing something you enjoy is very special. I hope that my illustration of these dancers gives Jia Qi and her fellow dancers a sense of joy!

About the Artist: 

Lia Tin is a Chinese Indonesian illustrator, designer and artist living in Oakland, CA. She immigrated to the States at the age of 13. The Bay Area has made her feel a sense of belonging. Lia currently works in animation but also loves other creative endeavors. She lives with her husband and their two senior pugs.

Mongolian

Patient: Bobby • Artist: Bilegjargal Luvsankhuu

Billy’s featured piece symbolizes the storyteller's life in both Mongolia and the United States, highlighting the interconnectedness between the two. The left side of the painting reflects the storyteller's life in Mongolia, the place where he grew up, a gaming console received as a birthday gift, and one of many films that had a profound impact on his life. The right side showcases the influences and experiences that shaped the storyteller’s life after arriving in the United States during his teen and early adulthood. Flying books (note that the books have covers on the right side, while the left side don't – the storyteller doesn't remember most of the books he read when he was a child) and fantastical creatures symbolize his love for fiction. The red dragon symbolizes the mythological beast from Western culture, while the Khangarid, the blue-winged creature, represents the Eastern counterpart. The Khangarid is a mythological guardian beast that lives near Ulaanbaatar, a city where the storyteller lived. In the center of the piece are spiritual figures, gods who watch over him. At the heart of the painting are the storyteller’s parents, whose enduring presence and support shaped his life and journey.

About the Artist: 

Billy Luvsankhuu is a Mongolian-born artist based in Alameda, California. He received his B.F.A. in Animation/Illustration from San Jose State University and has been creating art professionally since 2014. His works are primarily digital, with influences drawn from his childhood in Mongolia and his deep passion for storytelling inspired by books, manga, movies, and video games.

Billy’s art explores themes of culture, identity, and personal experience. His paintings have been showcased in various Bay Area galleries, including Jingletown Art Studios and the 2nd Friday Art Walk in Alameda. He has also contributed to short animated films such as Purse Nightmare, Dog Gonnit, and Jimmy Loves Juice.

Tagalog

Patient: Estela • Artist: Ruby Castro

This illustration celebrates Estela, who embodies the warmth of community. She stands with arms open, welcoming all to a table filled with colorful fiesta dishes. She wears a golden crown of sun rays, a nod to her Filipina heritage and faith. An ancestor altar honors her roots and departed loved ones. Community members stand beside her serving food, mirroring her volunteerism. Her past unfolds behind her in vibrant scenes on a beautiful beach: a house adorned with parol (holiday lantern), children playing Tumbang Preso, and dancers performing the Tinikling. The Bay Bridge arcs overhead, representing her migration journey to the U.S., with urban buildings symbolizing the communities she lovingly serves.

About the Artist: 

Ruby Castro is a Filipina American artist and designer from the Bay Area. Her nostalgic illustrations are rooted in family, food, folklore and traditions of her cultural heritage. She is the owner of Bittermelon Creative, designing prints, stickers, and greeting cards featuring her original art. Ruby’s goal is to share her experiences through visual storytelling, creating connections, healing and joy for generations to come.

Taishanese

Patient: Dong Hua • Artist: Kimberly Mar

Visually, Kimberly drew inspiration from paintings and photographs of Mount Tai in China. She reinterpreted Taishanese mountain forms, clouds, and her own ongoing explorations of scale and the feminine. The women in these pieces are rendered as giants – not for spectacle, but to show that they carry history, memory, and quiet power, especially when together. They represent a community of strength and care, watching over travelers on their journey to somewhere new.

She was inspired by Dong Hua’s immigration story and the graceful way she spoke about the isolation and loneliness that can come with moving to a new country, especially when faced with a language barrier. Kimberly was particularly moved by how Dong Hua described finding care, acceptance, and connection through her women’s group and the medical community at Asian Health Services.

About the Artist: 

Kimberly Mar is an artist born and raised in the Bay Area, currently living in San Francisco.

Vietnamese

Patient: Nga • Artist: Thao Le Thanh

For this piece I was inspired by the interconnectedness of time and place. The past, present and future, Oakland and Nha Trang, Vietnam, are all one. If each of us think about it, we can see how Nga’s story is interwoven to our own. I might never see Vietnam and step on my ancestral land.. but my own art, my voice, will participate in the telling of the story of Vietnam, of this Earth - whether I choose so or not. And as we live our days in America while US bombs fall on Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, we are all participating in the telling of the story. We will never be silent whether we speak out or not. We will never be spared from choosing between harm or love for as long as we live and beyond. From Vietnam to Turtle Island: free Palestine, free the land!

About the Artist: 

Thao Le Thanh lives on unceded Haudenosaunee land. They create while healing, unlearning and learning and wish for their art to be honest and to also continue to grow and change no matter how imperfectly it may seem.