Mei Xian Qiu is a Los Angeles based artist. She was born in the town of Pekalongan, on the island of Java, Indonesia, to a third generation Chinese minority family. At birth, she was given various names in preparation for societal collapse and variant potential futures, a Chinese name, an American name and an Indonesian name given by her parents, as well as a Catholic name by the local priest. In the aftermath of the Chinese and Communist genocide, the family immigrated to the United States. She was moved back and forth several times between the two countries during her childhood - her parents initial reaction to what they perceived as the amorality of life in the West countered with the uncertainty of life in Java. Partially as a result of a growing sense of restlessness, her father joined the U.S. Air force and the family lived across the country, sometimes staying in one place for just a month at a time. She has also been based in Europe, China, and Indonesia as an adult.

Amy Smith is a self-taught contemporary artist always evolving.

Her artwork includes murals, stencils, collage work, illustrations, digital graphic design, paint,
and spray paint, all to create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect both her passions and fury,
juxtaposed through the lens of imagination.
While some of her work is driven by political, social, and environmental injustice, most reflect her deeply-rooted optimism and belief in the power of the feminist spirit, unity and love.

Her portrait collage series deconstructs recycled fashion magazines to represent both her love for self-expression and her contempt for excessive consumption and manipulation.
Tearing fashion magazines that are carefully crafted to objectify women, she transforms
corporate messaging into words and images that celebrate people that create our beautiful
tapestry of humanity.

When humanity is seen as more than just a number or consumer, we can connect on a deeper level.

Amy Smith's work has been featured in prestigious art exhibitions like the LA Art Show, The Other Art Fair, and has been selected for various public art initiatives including LA County Arts celebrating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment among many others.
With her first upcoming museum show at Ontario museum at the end of 2022, she continues to expand her message throughout the art world.

Her work is internationally collected, gallery represented and featured on many tv/film shows. Her focus is to connect humanity through her art by sharing messages of a hope and unity for a better future

Karen Bystedt, a celebrated mix media artist and photographer, has a love for art that began at a young age. Bystedt was born in Israel to a mother who looked like a Hollywood star and a handsome Romanian paratrooper father. Karen moved to London when she was a year old, soon after her parents divorced. After the separation Karen moved to San Francisco, her cultured mother remarried which birthed a life of traveling throughout Europe, visiting famous art museums in London, Paris, Italy, and New York. Bystedt was one of those little girls who stood in front of paintings and sculptures for long-drawn out time periods losing herself in the art.

In addition to her artistic achievements, Bystedt is also a committed social activist who has used her work to raise awareness and funds for a number of charitable causes. She has worked with organizations such as the amFAR for AIDS Foundation, God's
Love We Deliver to feed terminal patients and their families, and Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, using her art and photography to bring attention to the struggles faced by vulnerable populations around the world. Bystedt's commitment to inclusion and social
justice combined with her innovative approach to photography has made her one of the most important artists of her generation.

Karen Bystedt a celebrated mix media artist and photographer, has a love for art that began at a young age. Bystedt was born in Israel to a mother who looked like a Hollywood star and a handsome Romanian paratrooper father. Karen moved to London when she was a year old, soon after her parents divorced. After the separation Karen moved to San Francisco, her cultured mother remarried which birthed a life of traveling throughout Europe, visiting famous art museums in London, Paris, Italy, and New York. Bystedt was one of those little girls who stood in front of paintings and sculptures for long-drawn out time periods losing herself in the art.

In addition to her artistic achievements, Bystedt is also a committed social activist who has used her work to raise awareness and funds for a number of charitable causes. She has worked with organizations such as the amFAR for AIDS Foundation, God's
Love We Deliver to feed terminal patients and their families, and Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, using her art and photography to bring attention to the struggles faced by vulnerable populations around the world. Bystedt's commitment to inclusion and social
justice combined with her innovative approach to photography has made her one of the most important artists of her generation.