Artists at opening of 50 Years of HOPE and HA-HAs | Photo by Ashley Jaye Williams
Vagabond Exhibition Page: vagabondzine.com/exhibit
Vagabond presents "50 Years of HOPE and HA-HAs," a Vietnamese American art exhibition that celebrates the expansiveness of the diaspora, rooted in the DMV. This is the first of three exhibitions in 2025, supported by CAH's Art Exhibition Grant.
2025 marks the 50-year anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. The mainstream perception of Viets has remained unchanged for decades, rooted in the suffering of war, yet nothing about the community is static.
D.C.'s first Vietnamese American art exhibit subverts what it means to be Vietnamese by Suzanne Nuyen, 2/25/2025, NPR
The exhibition offers counter-narratives from the 1.5 and 2nd generation of Vietnamese Americans while uplifting the multi-cultural intersectionality of the diaspora. The theme of resilience is interwoven through joy, memorial, heritage, catharsis, solidarity, representation and community.
The exhibition features visual art, poetry, video art, zines, and music by Anthony Trung Quang Le, Antonius-Tín Bui and Theresa-Xuan Bui, Chanlee Luu, Hien Kat Nguyen, Jenn Tran, Jess Trúc My Nguyen, Khanh Aiden Nguyễn, Khánh H. Lê, Khoi Le, Kim Khouan Khong Sandara, Lộc "Leo" Nguyễn, Loc Huynh, Ngoc “Naomi” Le, Philippa Pham Hughes, Phượng-Duyên Hải Nguyễn, shawn williams, Thu Anh Nguyen, Valerie Plesch, superblooom*, Vagabond and Vănguard.
This exhibition is funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art Exhibition Grant program and curated by Anthony Trung Quang Le and Philippa Pham Hughes.
There are several programs scheduled throughout the exhibition dates, kicking off with an opening reception on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm.
NOW AVAILABLE: Virtual Gallery (click on image to access)
Philippa Hughes (left) and Anthony Le (right) in front of zine wall | Photo by Albert Ting
Poetry talk speakers from left to right: Chanlee Luu, Thu Anh Nguyen, shawn williams and Philippa Pham Hughes
Viet Zine Fest speakers from left to right: Anthony Le, shawn williams, Jenn Bùi, Colin Viet-An Nguyen, Khoi Le, Sophie Mây Nguyễn and Jenn Tran
List of Exhibition Events:
- Opening Reception
- Thursday, January 16, 2025
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Poetry Reading
- Saturday, January 25, 2025
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Zine Talk with superbloooom*, Smells Like Rice, Vagabond
- Saturday, February 8, 2025
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Musical performance by Jess Trúc My Nguyen & Closing Reception
- Saturday, March 1, 2025
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE, Washington, DC 20003