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Duy Huynh |
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| Artist’s
Statement My interests in art began shortly after my arrival in the United States in the early ‘80’s. Though sunny southern California was a welcomed change from the chaotic environment of Vietnam, unfamiliar faces, languages, and surroundings left me with a sense of displacement. Luckily, I was able to find refuge in the art of cartoons, comics, and graffiti. At the time, the artists I looked up to were considered vandals. Though some of their work was illegally rendered, I’ve always admired their passion and willingness to share it with the public. Today, working as a freelance muralist in Charlotte, I am able to experience the same passion and willingness. I began painting murals soon after graduating from UNC Charlotte in 1999. I saw it as a quick way to reach the general public who may not have the time or simply the interest in visiting galleries. I opted to showcase my work not just in galleries, but also in coffee shops, bars, music venues, and restaurants—places that are already visited frequently. As it is with many artists, my work is an extension of life and experiences. My paintings are mostly figurative, primarily narrative, and sensitive in exploring issues of Asian traditions, my family and relationships. It is a continual exploration of motion and emotion in order to portray not just the beauty of the human form, but the triumph of the human spirit. The desire is to achieve a synthesis of artistic and cultural elements from the East and West to produce dreamlike imagery that imbues a sense of freedom and tranquility. In a sense, Eastern moods, through Western modes, and vice versa. People usually react one of two ways when they learn that I’m an artist. Some express admiration for having the courage to pursue a life’s dream, while others express sympathy because they believe I’ll be a dreamer for the rest of my life. In any case, art has become more of a lifestyle rather than a career choice—meaning I’ll always continue to create even in the absence of monetary benefit. Through the years it has become a very therapeutic means of documenting the many wonders as well as concerns of our impermanent existence. Some people believe that time is money. I believe that time is much more precious than that. Money, as with any other object, can be found again when lost. Time, on the other hand, is a permanently lost gift if it is not used wisely. |
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