Thank You No Thank You
ONLINE EXHIBITION
Curated by Catzie Vilayphonh
Featuring: Lanica Angpak | Natalie Bui | Leslie Condon | MyLoan Dinh | Aragna Ker | Chantala Kommanivanh | Jinny Ly | Nguyen Khoi Nguyen | Alex Nguyen-Vo | Sisavanh Phouthavong | Sayon Syprasoeuth | Barbara Tran and Morgan Ommer | Saymoukda Vongsay
2020 marks the 45th year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, a significant date for the Southeast Asian diaspora of Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian refugees who resettled in America because of the conflicts. While past narratives around the War focus on American veterans, very little amplifies the voices of over 2.5 million displaced Southeast Asians, many who are now Americans themselves.
“Thank You, No Thank You” is a statement reflecting the expectations of being a “good immigrant” and not an “ungrateful refugee.” For those living here whose displacement is also the result of U.S. policies, America represents being home and homeless. This exhibition highlights the struggles, negotiations, and complexities in the identities of Southeast Asian American refugees of war.
Experience the works of 15 artists who illustrate the struggles, negotiations and complexities in the identity/ies of being Southeast Asian American refugees of war.
Thank You No Thank You is on view at AsianArtsInitiative.org June 5 – August 14, 2020
View the exhibition here: https://asianartsinitiative.org/exhibitions-events/exhibitions/thank-you-no-thank-you
