ARTIST BIO

Mali Kounchao is a visual artist and interactive designer. Her multi-disciplinary works explore the relationship between art, transformation, and communal healing. She serves on the national steering committee for Legacies of War, a national project established to
raise awareness of the Secret War in Laos, as well as to advocate for further U.S. support toward the removal of cluster bombs and increased aid for bomb survivors. Other current projects include: silk screening and a collaborative children’s book about war and displacement with artist and author, Youme Landowne - http://youme.landowne.org/


ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS

- Minnesota State Arts Board, Artist Initiative Grants, 2007
- "Self-portrait" will be used as cover art for an anthology "Feminist Waves, Feminist     Generations:  Life Stories from the Academy, 1964-2000," U of M Press 2007
- B-Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hop Hop
    Group show @ Intermedia Arts, 2006
- HOME House Project: The Future of Affordable Housing
    Group show @ Weisman Museum, 2006
- Heritage Park Community, permanent collection, 2005
- Minnesota State Arts Board, Cultural Collaboration Grant, 2004/05
- Franconia Sculpture Park/Jerome Fellowship, 2004
- Family Housing Fund, permanent collection, 2004
- Jerome Travel and Study Grant Program 2002/2003, 2004
- Mural Global book, 2002, Germany
- AAR Career Development Grant, 2001
- Jerome Travel and Study Grant Program, 1999/2000
- Headwaters Fund - Special Opportunity Grant, 1997

Djai is my creative printed apparel business that sells limited edition silkscreen clothing. Visit djai.net for more information.

B-Girl Be
Join Djai in Minneapolis at the opening of B-Girl Be: an art exhibit focusing on women whose art has been influenced by hip hop culture. T-shirts will be sold at the festival all this weekend. (June 30th - July 1st).
Visit the B-Girl Be website for more information.

B-Girl Be Visual Art Exhibit Opening Party
June 29, 7:00 PM @ Intermedia Arts
28th and Lyndale, Minneapolis MN

Note: In the Lao language the word "di" means "good" and "jai" means "heart." Combined, the word "djai" means "happy" or "excited."