“If people exercise or write in their diaries to process loss, then I paint.”

- Mai Ta

Mai Ta, taken by Nu. Photo courtesy of the Artist.

I first encountered Mai Ta's work long before her residency at Vietnam Art Collection (VAC) began. Her paintings, often in subdued tones, left an indelible impression on me – like a haunting rhythm. Both real and surreal, they were supercharged with emotions that felt familiar yet unknown, exhibiting a wide range of interior feelings. When I learned she was joining VAC's second residency term, I seized the opportunity to meet the artist on her very first day.

the horses (2023)

When I saw Mai Ta (b.1997), I felt compelled to unlearn what I thought I knew about her from the ethereal pieces I’d seen online. Each conversation with her, followed by a revisit to her paintings, revealed the many layers of her inner world. This young person is fascinating in many ways, and her work lends itself to numerous interpretations and approaches to understanding.

on the clipped wings of hope, i said a prayer (2024)

After delving deeper into Mai Ta's oeuvre, I noticed that her paintings had a potent storytelling style that connects to larger cultural histories. They appear to encapsulate what one of her favorite authors, Viet Thanh Nguyen, refers to as "narrative plenitude."([1]) Nguyen coined this term to describe the antidote to the 'narrative scarcity' that Asian Americans and other minorities sometimes face in mainstream media. According to Nguyen’s analysis, minorities commonly struggle to express their own stories in a heritage milieu that distorts or erases their experiences. Mai's body of work, in its intricacy and depth, exemplifies essential advances in storytelling by portraying a nuanced depiction of her experiences as a rising Vietnamese artist within a plethora of cross-cultural situations.

While Mai Ta's art resonates with themes of multicultural identity, it also charts her personal evolution, particularly in her portrayal of the female form and how she perceives body image. "When I was younger, my body was my enemy," she shares. Now, her viewpoint has shifted: "I just exist. I am my body, my mind, my heart. I am my past, my present, and my future." This evolution in her work adds to Nguyen’s advocacy for narrative plenitude by providing an honest representation of someone who experiences living as a woman and her bond with her body and identity.

the fates (2022)

Despite the depth of emotion in her work, Mai approaches her art and life with a striking sense of equanimity, reminiscent of the abstract expressionists she admires. This early Gen-Z artist seems quite grounded. She doesn't create drama for the sake of emotion; rather, she is aware that life itself contains enough sorrow. She retains a free spirit of acceptance, reminiscent of the American painter Mark Rothko, who believed in being your own mythmaker and draws inspiration from life's worst moments. "Life, for me, will always contain tragedy," she asserts, taking a "come what may" mentality.

Mai's acceptance of life's inherent tragedy doesn't lead to despair, but rather fuels a deeply personal and therapeutic process. "If people exercise or write in their diaries to process loss, then I paint," she observes. Just as some people might journal or hit the gym to process their emotions, Mai's coping mechanism is painting. It's as if she's squeezing away grudges till there is no more anguish in her own self. Perhaps, her painting process investigates her open wounds and then heals them in some manner.

omens of a bad faith (2023)

Mai deconstructs the 'tortured artist' cliché in an exhilarating way. She does not appear to be a member of Taylor Swift's “Tortured Poets Department” club. She is quintessentially herself – unafraid and ready to take on anything. Although she has made strides in her career, Mai is genuine about the pressures of the creative field. "It's so easy to see what everyone is doing and inevitably compare myself to them," she admits regretfully. "But I've realized that it's all just noise. I've given up on the pursuit of being remembered. I found more freedom there." Eliminating external soundscapes enables her to focus on her creation while also supporting her mental and emotional well-being.

Mai's quest for self via painting goes above personal boundaries, diving into the spiritual dimensions that have long fascinated painters such as Mark Rothko. Using Rothko's work as a focal point, Mai Ta dug into the junction of spirituality and modern art in her exploration of faith, as demonstrated by her recent presentation titled God and Rothko at 3Năm Studio, a collective space described playfully by themselves as "a temporary house for plants, animals, humans, and art". Mai underlined the linkage between Abstract Expressionism and Pre-modern religious art, examining how both may help to foster spiritual experiences. She expresses a profound affinity for artists that believe deeply in love, language, and soul. She believes that "good art" cannot rely solely on aesthetics. "I need something else behind it—an intensity conjured by the desire to be seen and understood."

cracked (2023)

As Mai’s time at VAC continues, her journey promises intriguing breakthroughs. Her canvases are no longer just aesthetically pleasing imagery; they've become glimpses into the painter’s world, thoughts, and emotions. Each conversation adds another layer of depth to her work, exposing the complex interplay between personal experience and artistic endeavor.

For younger emerging or aspiring artists, Mai offers this poignant advice:

  "Don't let the fear of failure hold you back from trying. Failure is inevitable, and there's no wrong way to try. Be curious about the world, your people, your environment. And most importantly, be honest—both with others and with yourself."

music for forgetting (2023)

All things considered, Mai Ta's work represents a step towards narrative plurality in the arts. By sharing her-story alongside traditional history, authentically through her creations, she advocates to diversify the cultural environment. Her works of art invite viewers to look beyond the surface and interact with the subtleties of identity, emotion, and experience. As we continue to follow Mai's progress in VAC residency, we're not just witnessing the evolution of an individual artist, but also participating in a larger movement toward a more inclusive global art scene.

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([1]) Viet Thanh Nguyen (2018),"Viet Thanh Nguyen and Vu Tran: "Narrative Plenitude" | Talks at Google", https://vietnguyen.info/2018/viet-thanh-nguyen-and-vu-tran-narrative-plentitude-talks-at-google

Emotional Truth

AUTHOR: Anh Nguyen

15 Sept 2023

Mai Ta, an artist with a profound ability to evoke emotions, radiates a magnetic aura of creativity, depth, and introspection. From the moment we delved into her artistic world, we sensed her unwavering dedication and passion. Mai's journey as an artist is a testament to her innate ability to captivate viewers with her unique storytelling and profound exploration of emotions.

Mai always liked painting and drawing as a kid, even though her parents did not come from an artistic background. It was her grandmother, a literature teacher, who nurtured her creative spirit. With her grandmother's influence, Mai embarked on a path of self-discovery through art. As she delved deeper into her passion, she realized that her true calling lay in becoming an artist, one who could convey her deepest thoughts and emotions through her artworks.

Mai made the courageous decision to study abroad in the US, where she enrolled in the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. However, she chose Illustration as her major as somehow it felt more “like a career choice, rather than just being an artist”. Nonetheless, the support she received from her family in pursuing this opportunity was invaluable. SVA proved to be a transformative experience for Mai, as the school provided a nurturing environment that allowed artists to explore their unique visions and develop their skills. Through these opportunities, Mai connected with fellow artists, mentors, and art professionals, gaining insights into the international art scene and forging valuable connections that would shape her artistic journey.

As an artist, Mai encountered unique challenges and embraced her own artistic identity. While she loved the act of creating, she realized that her creative process was deeply personal and introspective. Her paintings were not created "on demand" or quickly; instead, they emerged organically. Mai's art encompassed a captivating blend of figurative and surrealistic elements, inviting viewers into a world where reality and imagination coexist harmoniously. Each artwork told its own story, and when viewed collectively, it formed a narrative that unveiled the intricacies of the human experience.

Mai Ta's images originate from within, rather than the other way around. For Mai, art was more than a form of self-expression — it was a profound means of communication, a language that transcended words. Through her paintings, Mai created a dialogue with her audience, inviting them to reflect on their own journeys and emotions. Her art became a sanctuary — a place where she could freely explore the depths of her soul and share her innermost thoughts and feelings with the world without any sense of guilt. To her, artistic expression represents a form of liberation. Furthermore, she mentioned her fondness for non-rhyming poetry, appreciating the unconventional nature of such expressions.

Mai reminds us that art is not simply a medium for self-expression; it is a gateway to self-discovery, a realm where our deepest emotions can be realized. Mai Ta's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of art, encouraging us to embrace our true passions and forge our own artistic paths.

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Image caption [from top to bottom]:

An Open Door, 2021

Photo of the artist, taken by Thông Hoàng

amygdala, 2022

©Mai Ta, courtesy of the artist