Hi I’m Shwe! I was born in Yangon and moved to Singapore at 13, before relocating to New York to pursue my undergraduate studies. These formative experiences across three cities have shaped the cross-cultural lens I bring to my curatorial and research practice.

I’m currently pursuing an MA in History of Design and Curatorial Studies at The New School, after earning a BS in Biology with a minor in Psychology from the New York Institute of Technology. My academic journey bridges the sciences and humanities, and this interdisciplinary foundation informs the way I think about design, memory, and public engagement.

As the Art Program Curatorial Intern at the Child Mind Institute, I explore the intersection of art, digital experience, and interactive curation. I design platforms that invite playful, reflective engagement and collaborate with artists to co-create prompts that spark curiosity in young audiences.

Previously, my research at The New School focused on the architectural and decorative histories of Southeast and East Asia, with particular attention to Asian immigrant narratives. I’m especially interested in how public memory is shaped at sites of conflict and in elevating the often-overlooked contributions of women in design.

Most recently, I’ve been exploring the history of jewelry, its role as a cultural asset during times of conflict, and its transmission across generations of women.