By: Iris Xu
Born in Ho Chi Minh City in 1976, Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s personal history is deeply intertwined with the themes he explores in his artwork. At the age of two, his parents fled Vietnam as refugees, seeking a better life elsewhere. Growing up in different parts of the United States, Nguyen discovered his passion for art while studying at the University of California, Irvine. Influenced by renowned artist Daniel Joseph Martinez, who’s known for creating Los-Angeles based contemporary art, he embraced his cultural duality and delved into the realms of memory, identity, and trauma.
Nguyen’s recent works focus on the detailed relationship between memory and trauma. Drawing from his experiences and the intergenerational impact of war, he looks to understand how memory functions as a tool for coping with collective suffering.
Nguyen’s exploration of his own cultural roots and his efforts to reconcile his dual identity inform his creative process. Nguyen’s videos, accompanied by artifacts he has crafted, occupy the third-floor galleries of the New Museum in Manhattan, inviting his audience to reflect on questions of memory and identity with a sense of urgency and empathy.
Nguyen’s artistic ambition extends beyond Vietnam’s narratives. His work aims to explore pivotal global moments that have shaped our world today. By delving into stories of Senegalese soldiers forced to fight for the French in Vietnam and Moroccan troops who deserted the French army, Nguyen reveals hidden aspects of history and examines the experiences of those often left out of mainstream narratives. He emphasizes the need for empathy, connection, and healing as we navigate the complex tapestry of our shared global history.
In one of Nguyen’s films, he talks about the Quang Tri province, the North Central Coast Region of Vietnam, revealing the harrowing stories of individuals who make a living scavenging unexploded ordnance. Through fictional characters and historical figures like sculptor Alexander Calder and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, Nguyen weaves together narratives that highlight the devastating consequences of war and the human capacity for healing and resilience. The Vietnam War, which started in , was fought by the communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and the United States. The war ended when U.S. forces withdrew in 1973 and Vietnam unified under Communist control two years later.
According to the New York Times, “Unburied Sounds” is another story from Nguyen. Nguyet, a fictional young woman in Quang Tri, makes her living scavenging the metal from unexploded ordnance. Nguyet’s mother has been traumatized by the death of her husband. Her friend Lai played with cluster bombs when he was 10. In the end, he was left with one eye and stumps where two legs and an arm should be. Two cousins died in the explosion. Death and dismemberment are constant companions in this place.
Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s artwork serves as a powerful catalyst for introspection, inviting viewers to confront their own memories, traumas, and cultural identities. Through his films, artifacts, and exploration of untold stories, Nguyen challenges us to reflect on the far-reaching consequences of war and colonialism while urging us to find common ground as we shape the future.