Untitled
2020
Installation - Huyen Vy
Clay mask on coconut fibers and moss.
The work is inspired by the 5th stanza of the poem “Ánh trăng” / “Moonlight" by Nguyen Duy, a Vietnamese poet.
“Ngửa mặt lên nhìn mặt
có cái gì rưng rưng
như là đồng là bể
như là sông là rừng.”
TP. Hồ Chí Minh, 1978
( Nguyễn Duy )
The fifth stanza of the poem "Moonlight" is about the moment the poet raised his face, vis-à-vis
to the moon. As he catches sight of the moon, the author starts reminiscing back to his past, with images of rivers, mountains, forests, and fields in his homeland. The moon in the poet's mind was like a friend, a "face" for him to trust and confide in as a child. With this as inspiration, I developed an installation work with the subject matter being two faces (made of clay) placed side by side as if whispering something to one another.
Mantis
Plate Pottery
2022
Enamel color on ceramic plate
Huyen Vy
Samsaric lives
2021
Clay, spray paint on the birdcage
Huyen Vy
This is an artwork telling the story of one of the most popular fairy tale in Vietnam, called Tấm Cám. This fable’s plot is similar to the famous Cinderella story but with more fantastical elements fitting of Vietnam’s Eastern culture. Tấm is the female lead, born into a well off family but whom had lost her father early in life, leaving her to live with her step-aunt and half-sisters. Tấm grew up to marry the king after dropping her shoe once only to be picked up by the majesty himself. However, she was tortured to death by her step-aunt after the fact. After her death, she reincarnated into a golden bird and the king kept her in a birdcage as a pet. Even after transforming into a bird she still ended up getting killed by her aunt and half-sisters. From her ashes afterwards sprouted a golden apple tree, blossoming with fragrant flowers. The image of the birdcage and flowers represent Tấm’s two samsaric lives. An affirmation of the meaning that If we live well, then we will always contribute to and enrich life, whether in one entity or another. When Tấm was a bird, she sang beautifully. When Tấm was a golden apple flower she bloomed beautifully and gave off a sweet fragrance. This is a fairy tale that has connected with many generations of Vietnamese children, containing profound lessons and values. I also grew up with Tấm Cám in my childhood. Since then, I wanted to convey this message in a different way, not through stories, movies or paintings but in a sculpture through my eyes.
A Trampling in Silence
2022
Clay on steel and plastic frame.
Huyen Vy
This is a sculpture based on my view of the living trends of a large majority of people nowadays.
If you look closely, this work is like a rising tower formed from people of all ages, genders and positions. They wrestle with one another with fights ranging from a battle of wits to physical altercations. Everyone wants to be able to be the one at the top, by any means necessary. The blinding white color of the entire sculpture shows that these people do not have a specific identity but are instead a generalization of a society where there is vicious competition in modern times.
