No Word For ‘Art’ Exhibit
Cultural Storytelling Through Hmong-American Contemporary Art
My Role: Co-Curator & Branding Lead
Team: Sara Smallhouse (Museum Liaison), Elizabeth Lee (Artist/Vision)
Challenge: Create a comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Hmong-American art that bridges cultural understanding while addressing how theHmong language has no direct translation for "art”
As Co-Curator and Branding Lead, I developed a multifaceted approach to create a culturally authentic exhibition experience:
Community-Centered Curation: Led artist recruitment across Northern California's dispersed Hmong communities, leveraging my existing KAWM magazine network to identify and connect with Hmong-American artists working in contemporary media
Cultural Narrative Development: Crafted exhibition themes and section flow that told the story of Hmong artistic expression evolving from traditional textile arts to contemporary fine art, creating meaningful context for both Hmong and non-Hmong visitors
Bilingual Identity System: Designed comprehensive exhibition branding including promotional materials, gallery signage, and catalog that incorporated both English and Hmong languages, creating accessibility across generations
Participatory Installation Design: Created interactive elements throughout the exhibition space that invited visitors to explore the concept of "art" through a Hmong cultural lens, fostering deeper engagement with the exhibition themes
