In order change the stories, we must change the storytellers.
Uzza is part of a broader mission to change the narrative around the culture and ways of life of underrepresented communities. The skin is not just our biggest organ, it is also a major component of our identity as global citizens. The aspect of our skin, although the result of genetics and environment, unjustifiably determines a lot of the way we will be perceived out there in this wild world.
We love to share knowledge and perspectives with talented creatives who are also part of this mission, like in no small part our featured guest: Akshita Garud. 
Meet Akshita, the art director behind Two Odd, a creative studio + an online magazine. As an online magazine, Two Odd constantly tries to address and open up otherwise hushed topics.
The magazine’s last article relates to Representation for South Asians, intending to initiate a series of other different poorly portrayed cultures. Through the process of rolling the whole project out, conversing with different creatives, and involving people in the project, Akshita realised the need to bring this conversation to scale.
You can read the full description of the project here.
A Two Odd Project: The Ever-Evolving Definition of Representation
What makes representation such a central topic at Two Odd?
Representation as a concept is a sensitive, developing, and subjective personal journey. With the rise of cross-culturalism, access to unlimited information at your fingertips, and unfiltered media, it is no longer restricted to exclusively geographical contexts; thereby questioning the norms that are derived from stereotypes.
How does this project challenge mainstream representation?
While media outlets continue to breed seeds of generalization, eight individuals bring their unique and varying perspectives to this project. Bonded by the common thread of their South Asian background, they tie their experience in navigating and understanding one’s individuality while simultaneously facing unnecessary generalization.
What inspired this project and what do these portraits represent?
The literature which feeds the article is personal testimonies that talk about their evolving approach toward the concept of their individual and South Asian representation. The visual language of the article is tailor-made portraits, a form of self-expression; it strives to translate their true meanings and ideas of representation through outfits, makeup, and body language. South Asians are grouped together in the Western world, diluting each one’s unique journeys. These portraits aim to show the versatility of different South Asians and their views, breaking the existing norm of the one-directional generalization towards South Asia.
“Not only generalisation diminishes the versatility that culture brings but also of an individual.”
You can find the full article about the project on Two Odd’s website: www.two-odd.com