- Arts,
- Visual Arts,
- Editor's Picks
Ellis Duc Luu: 'Mình Sẽ Đi Về'
Saturday: 12 PM
From '5 works of art to see in San Diego in November' (KPBS feature)
"Mình Sẽ Đi Về," is a forthcoming solo exhibition from San Diego artist Ellis Duc Luu, featuring new ink drawings based on the stories and events of Vietnam War refugees — plus the works serve as a letter of sorts from Luu to his family. The pieces are complicated, in process and aesthetics as well as in meaning. Luu is trying to encapsulate the grief and disruption caused by the Vietnam war into these works, as well as draw on what Luu believes are his own failures, in the French creative tradition of "le mal de vivre," or "the pain of living," which is an introspective exploration of self, flaws and purpose. Intricate details are layered within other intricate details, and white space is nearly nonexistent in Luu's work. Every corner of each 22 x 30" work is chock-full of lines, shapes, figures or swirls of ocean and storm.
Read more here.
—Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS
From the gallery and artist:
"Mình Sẽ Đi Về" is Ellis Duc Luu’s second solo art exhibition. A series of ink drawings that depict the events of the Vietnam war and the refugees that were produced from the outcome.
The artwork functions as both a narrative and a letter. One to provide a story of the conflict from an uncommon source. The other, is an intimate letter from the artist to his family.
The series tries to weave complex themes of anti-war, grief, satire, and diaspora into a comprehensive vision. What separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom? It is the ability to tell stories, and how humanity can bring such power to these tales that it can warp the fabric of reality.
"Mình Sẽ Đi Về" is a fairy tale about the many Vietnamese and southeast Asians who transformed into refugees due to imperialist involvement. On their backs, they carried strife and tribulations to survive in new lands with unknown tastes and scents.
This story is to bring some equilibrium to the unbalanced narrative of many who lost their memories and homes. A piece to the ever growing chronicles of refugees around the world, past, present, and future.
Location: Thumbprint Gallery
Hours: Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment
p: +1-858-354-6294
info(at)thumbprintgallery.com
Related links:
Thumbprint Gallery's website
Thumbprint Gallery on Facebook
Thumbprint Gallery on Instagram