Quang Hai’s artistic practice in photography explores how fictional storytelling can bloom into a form of gathering within the broader Vietnamese diaspora. As new generations of Vietnamese youth struggle to find a sense of belonging within the multiple stories that they inherited from the past, the blend of portraiture and archival images can remind them that their presence can not only coexist within the frame of time and space but can also go even beyond their disappearance. Photography has this natural ability to trace the memories built over time, to remind us of the ephemeral aspects of our being, and to cherish those who are close to us today.
Their photography untangles these past linear narratives to break the boundaries of one’s cultural identity. In this case, the notion of home is both a physical location and an imagined space where memories are carried through generations. By isolating the personal experiences of their community through intimate portraits, their practice visually depicts a universally shared experience felt amongst them and is empowered through collaborative and transformative encounters.
Quang Hai Nguyen is a Vietnamese photographer born and based in Tiohtiá:ke/Mooniyang/ Montreal who explores the notions of home and grief within diasporic communities. They obtained a college diploma in photography at Cégep du Vieux Montréal and recently obtained their BFA in Photography at Concordia University. Their work has been presented in group exhibitions such as the 5th edition of Artch, the 27th edition of Festival Accès Asie and the annual exhibition at the FOFA Gallery.
