EDUCATION

B.A., Major in Computer Science, Minor in Fine Arts, 1992-1995

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Tam Nguyen Art Studio, Summer 1994

Vietnamese traditional watercolor on silk technique

A.S., Computer Technology, 1989-1992

Brazosport College, Lake Jackson, Texas

Fine Arts Studies, 1984-1987

University of Fine Arts, Saigon, Vietnam

SOLO EXHIBITS

• 1995, MSC Jordan Institute Exhibit, Texas A&M University
• 1994, Langford Art Gallery, Texas A&M University
• 1993, MSC Visual Arts Gallery, Texas A&M University
• 1989, Library, Brazosport College

GROUP EXHIBITS

• June 1994, Celebrating Diversity through the Arts, Bahai Faith Center, Dallas.
• May 1994, Unifem Art Exhibition, Zawadi's Gallery, , Dallas, Texas
• 1993, MSC Visual Arts Gallery, Texas A&M University
• 1991, Brazosport Art Gallery, Brazosport, Texas
• 1989, 1990, Brazosport College, Brazosport, Texas

AWARDS

• 1995, Jordan Institute Scholarship to research Asian art in Vietnam, China and Hong-Kong.
• 1993, Student MSC Visual Arts Competition, Texas A&M
• 1991, International Student Competition, PTK Conference, New York
• 1979, Catholic Student Art Competition, Dalat, Vietnam

COMMISSIONS

• 1994, Landscape Murals, The Egg Roll House, Dallas, Texas
• 1991, Impressionist Landscape, La Maison Restaurant, Greenwich, Connecticut
• 1989-1994, Commissioned comercial designs, Texas

TEACHING

• 1995, Texas A&M Plus University, College Station, TX
• 1994, Summer Arts club at the Hermann Gmeiner School, Dalat, Vietnam
• 1983-1984, Private art studio, lessons in drawing and portraiture, Dalat, Vietnam

PROFESSIONAL

• 1995-current, Software Engineer, NORTEL, Richardson, TX.

PUBLICATIONS

• 1994, The Battalion. After escaping from Vietnam, student finds peace at A&M. October, 1994
• 1991, The Brazorian News. Promoting Literacy. May, 1991
• 1990, The Navigator. Brave New World. October, 1990
• 1989, Brazosport College. Fine Arts Festival mention. April, 1989

RELATED SKILLS

Fashion design, sculpture, knitting, crochet, sewing, modeling, photography, Computer programming, engineering graphics design

STATEMENT

My painting is a celebration of independent expression in art. After spending a year in a prison camp when I was fifteen years old for trying to escape the oppression of Vietnam, I made a successful attempt to escape to freedom in 1987. My thoughts are still in Vietnam and the influences in my art come from my homeland. I try to reflect my memories of Dalat, my hometown, and the history of rule under communism. I use diverse techniques that incorporate traditional Vietnamese watercolor on silk together with oil on canvas and charcoal to create as rich an experience as freedom itself.

Comments received during the A&M Visual Arts Exhibit in 1993

... Wonderful statement of life... (Pat White)

... Such diversity is stunning, great!... (Sarah Oltizage)

... You have a variety of talents, from expressionistic to realistic. Some beautiful work!... (John Beris)

... I love your paintings and drawings! Not only are they beautiful, but they have a beautiful story behind them -- it really makes me appreciate my life and freedom (Sister Moulds)

...Your work spoke of feelings that have no words... it spoke of anguish, of hope, of fear, and of faith. Congratulations on your success! (Elizabeth J. Harris)