I was inspired by Professor Valverde’s “Doing the Mixed-Race
Dance: Negotiating Social Spaces Within the Mutiracial Vietnamese American
Class Typology” and came up with how I identify myself in the Vietnamese
American community. I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and
moved to the Bay area at a young age. Both places are complete opposite to one
another but I always remind myself to not loose my culture. The Vietnamese
culture here is very different from Vietnam and I learn to embrace what I have
come to known. From a far, I see many differences but when I look closely they
both have a similarity, which I call both places home. Despite societal and
familial expectations, I have a differential identification with the new
traditions, customs, and cultural values.
For my self-portrait, I drew the head shape to represent
myself in the picture. Instead of the traditional facial features, I chose to
draw the outline of the U.S. and Vietnam maps in order to illustrate both of my
cultural identities. I connected my birthplace to where I currently reside to
reflect my race traitor identity.
Although I attempted to hold on to my native cultural values, retain my
native language, I had to change certain viewpoints in order to fit into my new
home.
I think this piece is a bit different because even though it is a self portrait, this piece doesn't seem to be showing an image of just one person. It's kind of broad and general in the fact that it has no face and no other features. You can't tell whether it is a man or a woman, a black person or a white person. This piece, I think, is something that encompass a wide range of identity together. As for improving the piece, you might want to add more features like background art or text to make the art richer.
ReplyDeleteI like this portrait a lot because it hides the looks of the person, but it portrays two different culture identity. It allows the viewers to imagine what this person might look like. The simplicity behind the work is great, but the idea behind it is even greater. Great job overall!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your art. Without even reading your statement, I could already relate to what may be your intentions (and I guessed right!). Two locations with different cultures that make you as a person. I myself was born and raised in a different part of the globe and have to move in the US. Reading your artist statement validated my assumptions of your piece, and I thought your art piece and statement was both well done. I thought your art was simple, artsy, and well put! I like it very much! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the simplicity in your portrait. I like how there's no facial features so literally anyone can resonate with it. However, I did not quite grasp how your portrait represents "hold[ing] on to my native cultural values, retain my native language, I had to change certain viewpoints in order to fit into my new home." Like Kou said, perhaps, add a few more symbols in those open areas to represent that. Artist statement was well-written! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis is very creative. At first I was confused but after reading your artist statement it all made sense. I think that your idea is different and effective. I like how you drew a map of the both places you identify with. I think your art piece and statement were simple and easy to understand. Great job.
ReplyDeleteIt's very simple, but I do enjoy that you're approaching this different. The image is less tangible and more abstract, without being so much of the latter it becomes completely lost on the viewer. Good job.
ReplyDelete