Vinh Bui

BFA Painting

Instagram: @azndoodlez

ARTIST STATEMENT: I have always been proud of my culture and the arts of East Asia. In my experience, Eastern art is not given the same critical response as West European art. Despite that, Eastern art has influenced many artists in the West such as Van Gogh and Monet. The connection I have to Eastern art is strong. As a first generation American Asian, my art binds me to my culture.

My work can be described as a contemporary take on classical Japanese painting. I am also continuing the tradition of Cantonese lion making with bamboo and rice paper, a technique that dates back hundreds of years. As one of the few practitioners in the country, I want to see this craft continue for future generations. At the same time, I want to expand the techniques and broaden the context of this craft. I aim to use this art form to bring a contemporary art sensibility to this traditional craft.

The scroll paintings are modern takes on classical concepts using the same materials and visual language to express contemporary ideas. "くたばれ" or “Fuck Off” in English is my response to the institutional resistance to the use of traditional art techniques in my work. It uses traditional Japanese elements such as the dragon and the sakura, as well as the techniques that has been done for centuries.

“醒獅” or “Awaken Lion" in English, is an homage to in part, my culture and the disappearing craft of constructing handmade lion heads. I feel it is a powerful symbol of my culture, yet one that is rapidly fading away. These are powerful symbols that evoke strong reactions of familiarity, nostalgia, and pride. The colors, paint styles, and shapes of the head are all things that are a reference to the famous makers in the past. This lion was made specifically for the gold lion club in New York, which I have been with for several years.

I hope my work inspires others to continue and appreciate the artistic traditions of their cultures.