GRSJ is proud to host a special pop-up photography exhibition in our lobby from March 14- April 4. Beauty in BIPOC, curated by GRSJ student Sarina Virani, showcases the artistic work and thoughtful perspectives from a variety of women of colour at UBC. Drop by GRSJ at Buchanan Tower (10th floor) to check it out before April 4.
The exhibit is part of a larger project by Virani, including an Instagram account @thebeautyinbipoc. We caught up with Virani and asked her about the inspiration behind the project and what she has planned after the exhibition.
Q: Where did the idea for Beauty in BIPOC come from? What inspired you to take up this project?
A: The idea for this project stemmed from my lived experiences, as well as my own observations of and interests in the representation of women of colour in popular media. I attended a predominantly white junior high and high school, an environment that greatly shaped my perceptions during some of the most formative years of my adolescence. I wasn’t seeing myself represented in the environments in which I was learning and growing in, nor was I seeing it in the media I was consuming. I wanted to create a space on social media that helped to fill in some of the gaps that I identified in the representation of racialized women. I wanted to make an account dedicated to diversifying your feed and the narratives you encounter around beauty, highlighting marginalized voices at the forefront. In doing so, I sought to address Eurocentric beauty standards through shared discourse and reflection, and showcase the diverse beauty within BIPOC communities. Through this project, I have also been able to support photographers who are women of colour and work to build community as artists.
Q: Why do you think BIPOC representation is so important? Do you think beauty standards are changing? Why or why not?
A: BIPOC representation matters, especially for racialized youth learning about their place in the world from the media surrounding them. This representation has the potential to empower and shape identities. When executed thoughtfully and meaningfully, there is power in witnessing the representation of your stories and communities in popular media. Beauty, in particular, can seem like a frivolous or inconsequential matter, but its presence and perception (or lack thereof) can have material consequences in an individual’s life, especially for women of colour who exist in a world that tends to value whiteness above all else. I believe that these beauty standards are starting to change, albeit slowly, through critical conversations and dialogue, but they certainly still exist and show up in many ways.
The Beauty in BIPOC pop up photo exhibit installed in the GRSJ lobby on the 10th floor of Buchanan Tower, March 14-April 4, 2025.
Q: Do you have plans to bring on more photographers and/or do more exhibitions?
A: Absolutely. @thebeautyinbipoc on Instagram is an ongoing project in which I hope to continue working with racialized, female photographers, in addition to sharing my own photography. Working on this pop-up exhibit has been a wonderful opportunity and I would love to put together something similar again in the future.
Q: How has your education at GRSJ influenced your outlook/or your project
A: My education at the Institute for GRSJ has influenced my outlook in numerous ways. Our class discussions around representation certainly planted the seeds for this project. I was inspired by our discussions of the intersections between art and activism, something I try to highlight in the project. I was also inspired by our discussions around taking theory and putting it into practice, as this project marks one way in which I strive to do so. I am very grateful to Dr. Kim Snowden and all those in the Institute for providing me with the opportunity and space to make this exhibit happen. It was only possible through their support.
Q: What are some highlights of your time at GRSJ so far?
A: I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a GRSJ student and major so far. The highlights include my classes with Dr. Kim Snowden, Dr. Alifa Bandali, and Dr. Ayesha Chaudhry, all of whom cultivated learning environments that have furthered my passions and intellectual growth. It has been a privilege and a pleasure learning from them and from my peers. To students considering GRSJ, I could not recommend it enough. It is such a unique program that inspires and enables students to build a more just world for all.
Q: Please share what’s next for you?
A: I will be finishing my degree in December. I look forward to continuing my academic journey, inspired by the wonderful educators I had the opportunity to work with in GRSJ.
I am also actively working on another project related to the subject of representation. I am the founder and coordinator of the BIPOC Reading Buddies program at the Vancouver Black Library, where we invite BIPOC elementary-aged children to read alongside older BIPOC buddies, foregrounding diverse literature, mentorship, and community-building for racialized children.
