📰 My First-Ever Publication… In Forbes?!
- Nimisha Doongarwal
- Mar 15, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 4
A Wild Moment I’ll Never Forget
📸 From my first big art show to a Forbes feature—what a journey!
💥 Wait, What? Forbes?!
Let me take you back to early March 2020. I had just wrapped my first-ever art exhibition, showing my Identity series at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center as part of a group show called “Home & Belonging.”
There were over 30 incredible artists featured in that show. I was still just starting out, still doubting every move, still figuring out how to even call myself an “artist.”
And then I got the email.
Forbes was writing a feature on six women immigrant artists from the show—and I was one of them. 😳
I couldn’t believe it. Me? In Forbes? This had to be a mistake, right?
✍️ The Interview That Had Me Sweating
They sent over a long questionnaire asking about my life, my art practice, my inspiration—real, deep, reflective stuff.
I was excited, but also totally terrified. I felt like I didn’t belong in the same category as the other featured artists—some of whom I deeply admire. I was still figuring out my voice, still stitching it together.
I asked my husband, my friends, anyone I could trust to read my responses. I just wanted to sound like I knew what I was doing… even though I was learning everything as I went.
🌟 And Then the Article Dropped
A few days later, the article went live on Forbes.com.
It was called:
“6 Women Immigrant Artists Reflect On Belonging And Home.”
Written by the amazing MeiMei Fox, the article highlighted not only our work but our stories—how we navigate identity, culture, and creativity in this in-between space of migration and belonging.
Seeing my name in print, my words on a platform like Forbes, right alongside artists I respect so deeply—it brought me to tears. 🥹
And this was all just days before the pandemic hit and changed everything.
🧵 Why It Still Means So Much
This wasn’t just a media moment. It was a turning point.
It told me:
Your voice matters.
Your story deserves to be heard.
You belong here.
At a time when I was still unsure, this article gave me something to hold onto—a moment of affirmation I’ll never forget.
📌 Want to Explore More?
If you’re new here (or even if you’ve been following since that Forbes moment), here are a few ways to stay connected:
🎨 Explore My Portfolio – see where the Identity series has grown since then
💌 Subscribe to Studio Notes – get behind-the-scenes updates, new works, and reflections like this delivered to your inbox
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