Reminiscence
2021 NCECA Concurrent Exhibition organized by Soe Yu Nwe
Le Hoang Bich Phuong
Psychological Amalgamations
Vietnamese artist Le Hoang Bich Phuong's practice involves reflecting on current social structures. She expresses her rumination of these invisible social and psychological forces in the forms of paintings and mixed media installation.
Individual and societal pursuit as a whole is questioned as she portrayed her musing of people and societal commodities into fanciful and surreal psychological narratives.
-Soe Yu Nwe
Grapevine Selection Vol. II
Glazed porcelain
Dimension variable
2015
White, Black, Gold
This is the project based on “Utopia-Promised Land”.
We are constantly compelled by an unidentified urge to fulfill our dreams, and likewise gain greater access to life’s blessings. We struggle and evolve in an effort to reach these dreams, to reach this end.
To me, we are as random as the creation of planets. Born, then strung together in a cluster like a galaxy, an asymmetrical chain. Following our creation, we are impacted and influenced by each other. Like asteroids, actions create sequences we can at times anticipate. Other impacts set in motion unintended consequences.
We seek and chase the broader spaces. We pay no mind to the effects they may cause surrounding planets. Somehow, we deviate from the universal system of order. Our path breeds jealousy, as we seek greener pastures just over the horizon.
It is my belief that peaceful consciousness instills order. It is in fact our forgotten promised land - abandoned in pursuit of meandering dreams.
White, Black, Gold, 2015
Porcelain, stone powder, gold leaves
Dimension variable
I will just lie down here
Lately, I have become obsessed with rau muong, a common tropical leafy in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. This plant is known in English as water morning glory or water spinach. I believe Rau Muong is the most favorite vegetable in Vietnam. Everyone enjoys it regardless of their financial status. It was too commonplace when I was in Vietnam.
Since I relocated outside of my country, rau muong has become my obsession. I find myself usually reaching out to traditional Vietnamese dishes. It’s homesickness. In my homesickness, rau muong becomes more than just food. Comfort food brings up pleasant memories of a time when travelers are still with their loved ones. It is a very simple dish but it really brings out a different set of feelings compared to when I tried it in Vietnam. Now it makes me feel like I’m home.
In these moments, I realize how the comfort foods come to define myself. No matter how far away I am from my homeland, Vietnamese food will remind me of my roots.
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