To me, being an artist means putting my best foot forward not just to illustrate, but also to create something that can reach the audience in ways nothing else can and transcend them beyond the essentials of life. This is a self-portrait inspired by the concept of duality, evident in Nella Larson's Passing and Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer.
I am an international student that was born and raised in Vietnam and is currently studying abroad at UC Davis. But because of the way I dress and sound, I often get mistaken as being Vietnamese-American. Although this can be an advantage since I do not have to explain why I do not have a Vietnamese accent or discuss my family's financial background. However, I have a language barrier when it comes to Vietnamese, which is ironic considering I am Vietnamese and grew up in Vietnam. Therefore, I often feel detached from my roots because at my international school, they do not teach Vietnamese or celebrate all Vietnamese traditions. And like Irene, from Passing, she was able to pass as white and was able to marry a white man but then finds herself stuck between her marriage and getting in touch with her roots. Moreover, having a Western-influenced background, I often can sympathize with many situations; much like the narrator in The Sympathizer and his Anti-Communist and Communist perspective, I can understand both viewpoints because I grew up in a Communist/Socialist country and is studying abroad, which has allowed me to be in touch with Vietnamese immigrants and their narratives.
I chose to draw myself with curly hair to look more “American” and displayed my internal flesh to highlight the notion that there is more to me than how I look. I specifically chose black and white as the color scheme and drew my mind being suffocated to counter the idea that mixed-race individuals do not follow one way or another; they are just as normal as anyone. We all have complex thoughts and identities and it is tiring to have others identity who we are and not who we identity ourselves as.
I love the contrast between the outward smile and internal turmoil in the picture. Your self-portrait is nicely supported by your artist statement. In your artist statement you mention that you depicted yourself with curly hair to look more American. Why do you think curly hair is American?
ReplyDeleteThis is a great piece of art. Though I was a little confuse at first, the artist statement did a lot to explain those confusion. I like how the art represent hybridity and also unity in one person. The sharpies and writing tools is shown in the picture to display how you create the art. I can't see any improvement being made to this one.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great drawing of your self portrait - very detailed and I instantly knew there was a deep meaning behind it when I saw the intricate design. Many people tend to judge a book by its cover, and in your case they can't tell that you are actually an international student. Your artist statement clearly explains how you identify as a race traitor, and no need for improvement!
ReplyDeleteI love your artwork Vy! I also enjoyed your artist statement; I thought that it complements well with your drawing! You did a great job connecting the readings to your own personal experiences and I really don't see any flaws. After reading your artist statement however, what I am curious about is because you are able to sympathize with both sides, is it often difficult for you to lean towards one side more? While you do experience 'passing' and feelings of detachment due to the way you look, talk, etc., I am interested in knowing more about your internal conflicts since you mentioned about understanding both viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteThe self portrait and the meaning behind it is amazing. The techniques are flawless. I like how people see you as American when you are clearly an international student simply studying at UCDavis. You can see that based off the drawing. The artist statement does go hand in hand with the artwork. Overall great job! no need for improvements.
ReplyDeleteI really love your drawing style, Vy! The curly hair in your self-portrait reminds me of tentacles grasping for a sense of belonging in the midst of race traitor conflicts. Your artist statement elaborates on the symbolic meanings of your drawing while allowing your drawing to stand out on its own. The interiors of your mind reminds me of separate rooms and compartments of your cultural background and facts of yourself that shares similarities with the sympathizer's position as a race traitor. It would be interesting to see a small drawing of the sympathizer travel from one component of your head to another so that the allusion to the sympathizer in your artist statement is represented in your drawing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your art work! It is in very fine detail and authentic. I wish the artist statement talks more about the details within the face. What is detail and how did you decide to sort it out? I like how deep of the story the art portraits and it shows the struggle of being a unique international student. i want to know more about whether you consider yourself more as Asian American or International? I wish there are more explanation towards sympathizer as well. Overall fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteYour idea is very creative. Your image shows a lot. After reading your artist statement I get a sense that language had been the biggest reason why people think you are mixed race. I feel like you could have incorporated that more in your image. Also, you should explain the reasoning behind choosing to do your piece in black and white. You brefly mention it but don't explain it in your artist statement.
ReplyDeleteYour portrait shows a great amount of detail, but at the same time simplicity by the way you present the image in black and white. If I had not read your statement I would have interpreted your image to have meant something else. I can relate to your story of being mistaken as Asian-American because you do not have the typical immigrant accent when speaking to people. I liked how you were able to relate back to Irene's character and to have that ability to pass as someone white.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderfully done. Admittedly, I find the piece jarring and almost morbid, as the 'thoughts' and the imagery behind the facade are particularly startling. But they convey a message of turmoil, conflict and agony. Well done piece, and the photography is nice as well. It's a good extra touch.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see that "Passing" really resonates to you as you stated that you passed for Vietnamese American. You portrayed what it seems to be roots inside your skull. I am curious what does it means to have put roots inside your skull. It seems that the Vietnamese part of you is always something you contemplate a lot about since there is a culture gap.
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