ABSTRACT
This chapter presents practical strategies for advancing Asian art through comprehensive choice-based teaching and learning practices. It demonstrates how to combine personal intersections with art inquiry methods, visual ethnographic research, and allyship to guide instruction. Readers will learn how the author applied personal and professional inspirations to develop curricular resources on artists David Chang, Lorinne Lee, and Kimsooja to teach about Asian/Asian American art in context. The guiding questions on their art are designed to stimulate class discussions and authentic learning experiences. This chapter’s qualitative visual ethnographic research model provides a structure to study the visual data presented in Asian/Asian American artworks and their relationships to understanding contemporary teaching and learning communities. With an emphasis on equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice, this chapter employs allyship to encourage people to take actions to foster equity for Asian Americans, who have been experiencing increased hate crimes. With allyship’s implementation, classrooms become safe learning communities for students to address real-world issues and engage in challenging discourse. These combined practices teach students allyship mindsets and actions that include advocacy, effective leadership, and ethical problem-solving.
