April 2023
Buoi Ngon
Student
Tran Khanh Huyen
2210SUCCP
Tran Khanh Huyen
2210SUCCP
Specialism
Illustration
Illustration
Artist Statement
Exploring the Complexities of Gender Politics and Identity through Art
For many artists, including myself, the subject of women and their place in society has been a recurring theme. However, in today's world, what truly defines a woman? Is it her appearance, her temperament, or her qualities? As a woman, how can I advocate for gender equality when the very language I use to express myself is a tool of oppression?
My work delves into the complexities of my identity as a woman, often using Vietnamese wordplay to express my ideas. In one series, I use the word "bưởi," which translates to grapefruit and is also commonly used as slang for a woman's breast. Similarly, I play on the word "ngon," meaning delicious, which is often used to catcall attractive women. Through these wordplays, I draw attention to how a woman's identity is often reduced to a mere product to be consumed, as opposed to a complex being with emotions, intellect, and soul. To be a woman is to be like a grapefruit – to conceal the most endearing and flavorful parts within a tough outer skin, while being defensive against the constant scrutiny of others who seek to tear us apart and judge us based on our outward appearance. My art is raw and unpolished because it reflects the reality of the struggles that I, as an artist, a woman, and a human being face in the 21st Century.