10/11/2026
PERMISSION TO CREATE | AMHF’s Inaugural Creative Collaborative
Who gives us permission to create? And what happens when we stop waiting for it?
On 10.10.2026, AMHF brought together four incredible creative voices for Permission to Create, an intimate conversation exploring art, ambition, identity, and diaspora.
Hosted at Charles Moffett Gallery, surrounded by Melissa Joseph’s Casserole Culture exhibition, the discussion explored the personal journeys, cultural influences, and challenges of pursuing a creative life.
Our distinguished panelists:
melissajoseph_art Visual artist exploring family memory, identity, and cultural heritage through unconventional materials.
Rajiv Kannan Menon Founder of Rajiv Menon Contemporary, championing South Asian artists and greater representation in contemporary art.
Jeeno Joseph Bharatanatyam artist and choreographer bridging cultural traditions with his artistic vision.
Anita Kalathara Actress, writer, and filmmaker creating space for authentic South Asian storytelling.
Together, they explored what it means to challenge expectations, navigate representation, and build meaningful creative careers while embracing the complexities of cultural identity.
For AMHF, this inaugural Creative Collaborative marks the beginning of something meaningful: creating spaces for dialogue, artistic expression, and connections across our diaspora.
A heartfelt thank you to our Communications Director and moderator Anthony Palliparambil for guiding such an engaging discussion, our wonderful panelists for sharing their journeys, Charles Moffett Gallery for hosting us, and everyone who joined us.
Because sometimes, the most important permission we receive is the permission we give ourselves.
