Ally Ham is a Cambodian-American self-taught artist born and raised in Pennsylvania, and has been residing in Houston for the past 3 1⁄2 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Marywood University majoring in Art Therapy with a minor in Psychology. Ally was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, which affects the mobility of her joints and muscles in her hands, arms and legs. She’s never let her lack of mobility stop her from creating, in fact it’s only encouraged her to find new and unconventional ways to do so. When you see a painting done by her, just know it has been done 100% by using her mouth. Her mediums of choice are acrylics, oil pastels, mixed media collage, and digital art (but she’ll try any medium once). She uses a lot of experimental approaches to art because she believes it is the best way to uncover her best works, that doesn’t involve much thinking, only doing. She prioritizes the process of creating more so than the product. Most of her work has recurring characteristics and themes of symmetrical balance, nature, spirituality, patterning and maximalism. Her work is heavily influenced by folk art, a range of contemporary works, and her everyday life. She paints what brings her joy.

For Ally, art is a feeling, an expression that can easily transport you. As an art therapist, it is always in her subconscious to be thinking about the effect her art will have on someone else. The colors, shapes, lines and words she uses should take the viewers to a place that fills them with warmth, curiosity and joy.