My work often reflects themes from contemporary Vietnamese American society in a graphic, stylized manner.
Artist Statement
I am a Vietnamese American woman. I want my audience to consider why these words are inherently seen as a pitiful characteristic.
My work reflects my everyday life as a Vietnamese American woman. Some elements of this identity have profound negative or positive impacts, and some are simply a part of my life without any particular rewards or consequences. I share the small moments of my life that are defined by this identity and how I feel about it to begin conversations in order to holistically represent our diaspora.
I like to utilize traditional technical skill while incorporating graphic elements in colored pencils, acrylic paint, paint pens, and graphic liners in order to bring my work into a more contemporary art world. By experimenting with color and media that is typically seen as unprofessional because of their association with youth and femininity, I investigate markmaking, multimedia utilization, and color combinations that result in pieces that subvert stereotypes of who society says individuals have to be and how professional art should look. I aim to make thought-provoking work that engages with contemporary society and can be taken seriously, while also being spunky and fun to look at.
My art is a bit tacky looking. I want my audience to consider why this is inherently seen as a bad characteristic.
Artist Bio
Paige Nguyen is an artist based in the Oklahoma City metro, and attends Oklahoma State University pursuing her BA in studio art and art history. Currently working as a multimedia painter, she enjoys using vivid hues and graphic elements to attract viewers to contemplate her subject matter. Nguyen’s portraits often reflect the stories of her upbringing as a first generation Asian American and how her family fits into the contemporary American setting. Most recently, she has exhibited in association with the university, in their shows Stillwater Festival of the Arts OSU Student Art Exhibition and OSU Advocacy through Artivism. She has received three Gold Keys from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, was a recipient of the State Superintendent Awards for Arts Excellence, and was accepted into the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute for two summers. She has also interned at the Paseo Plunge in Oklahoma City. Since middle school, she has exhibited work at various shows in Tulsa, Stillwater, and Oklahoma City.
Cháu Không Hiểu Tiếng Việt / Your Granddaughter Does Not Understand Vietnamese
Because He Loves You
Assimilation Anxiety
Have You Eaten Yet
stuDYING
What'd ya say?
Not Your Model Minority
Asian, American, or Asian American?
Scrutiny of the Silenced
Bestie
Tấm's Rebirth
Ông Bà Ngoại's House