dab neeg thiab ntawv (folktale and text) | ZENA VUE

Throughout this exhibit. I work digitally through the Adobe creative suite with their applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator. The dab neeg found in this exhibit takes inspiration from the book, Folk Stories of the Hmong by Norma J. Livo and Dia Cha, as well as popular Hmong movies from the early 2000s.

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Slideshow of Artwork

 

Give your feedback about the show, support an emerging artist.

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Artist Statement

Stories have always fascinated me as a child. I watched and rewatched Nuj Nplhaib Thiab Ntxawm(folktale featured in the exhibit) more times than I can count. I reenacted almost every single scene as an impressionable child and loved the story dearly. Some of my favorite children’s shows were Dragon Tales and Cyberchase, both story driven and magical in their own ways. From there, I became an avid reader as I learned the English language. From the Percy Jackson series to Alanna by Tamora Pierce, I was filled with the fantastical. Eventually as I stopped reading, I began noticing my own stories and revisiting Hmong folktales(dab neeg).

The current Hmong language used by Hmong-Americans is called the Hmong Roman Popular Alphabet, introduced about 70 years ago. Being children of immigrants, English was the priority to learn and Hmong eventually became secondary. Therefore, I have no formal education in Hmong. It is an instinctual language and I wish to preserve it in the limited ways I can. Having exposure to typography and hand lettering throughout university, I now approach Hmong as another way to express my art. I am not fluent but by connecting through art, I will continue to use Hmong. Finding meaning in dab neeg and ntawv, I strive to preserve Hmong language.

Throughout this exhibit, I work digitally through the Adobe creative suite with their applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator. The dab neeg found in this exhibit takes inspiration from the book, Folk Stories of the Hmong by Norma J. Livo and Dia Cha, as well as popular Hmong movies from the early 2000’s.

 

Bio

Zena Vue is a Hmong-American visual artist and graphic designer based in the Twin Cities. She is currently seeking a bachelor of arts degree in graphic design and creative writing. She mainly deals with an interplay of typography and illustration. Her practice includes both digital and analog techniques.

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Virtual Mock-up

Due to COVID-19 the show in the physical gallery space has been delayed. Here is a virtual representation of what it will look like in the Gallery720 space.