ATU School of Design and Creative Arts :: Student Gallery

A virtual exhibition space for our final year students of 2022

Hien Cao Nguyen

2021, Masters in Creative Practice / by

Artist Statement

Hien’s project, ‘Conflicts of Identities,’ consists of pieces of works that deal with issues of global humanitarian and social crisis. It analyses the complexity of mixed national and hybrid identities. Forced exile and the migration of people due to conflicts or economic circumstances are the focus of her work. As a textile artist, she understands the concept of clothing as an instrument of representations of lived experiences.


Crossing to the other shore by Hien Cao Nguyen Torso dimension: 70x40 cm Dress tail: 4metres Material: Constructive Textile Statement: The piece "Crossing to the other shore" is a textile latex structure imitating the perfect geometric shapes of the beehive. The cloth damaged, torn and creasing, evokes the worn nations, deteriorated by patriarchal laws, conflicts, and forced migrations.
Crossing to the other shore by Hien Cao Nguyen Torso dimension: 70x40 cm Dress tail: 4metres Material: Constructive Textile Statement: The piece "Crossing to the other shore" is a textile latex structure imitating the perfect geometric shapes of the beehive. The cloth damaged, torn and creasing, evokes the worn nations, deteriorated by patriarchal laws, conflicts, and forced migrations.

Lost Identity by Hien Cao Nguyen Dimension: 21 x 18 cm Material: Constructive textile Statement: "Lost Identity" work is the artist’s self-portrait and represents a self-reflection of her identity. This piece is made from the mould of her head and is made of latex, fabric and filled with bee comb. It’s the representation of a lost identity in which the artist has no memory of her childhood in her homeland.
Lost Identity by Hien Cao Nguyen Dimension: 21 x 18 cm Material: Constructive textile Statement: "Lost Identity" work is the artist’s self-portrait and represents a self-reflection of her identity. This piece is made from the mould of her head and is made of latex, fabric and filled with bee comb. It’s the representation of a lost identity in which the artist has no memory of her childhood in her homeland.

The First Stitch by Hien Cao Nguyen Size: Two Shirts size S Material: Clothing Statement: “The First Stitch” reflects the artist's origins. The work is represented by two shirts sewn by Hien's mother. They were one of the few things her mother was able to take with her when Hien’s family fled their home country due to the war. Clothing is not frivolous. It can reveal a true reality, lived experiences that surround our bodies, our lives, our identity. It helps us to create memories that are important to us.
The First Stitch by Hien Cao Nguyen Size: Two Shirts size S Material: Clothing Statement: “The First Stitch” reflects the artist's origins. The work is represented by two shirts sewn by Hien's mother. They were one of the few things her mother was able to take with her when Hien’s family fled their home country due to the war. Clothing is not frivolous. It can reveal a true reality, lived experiences that surround our bodies, our lives, our identity. It helps us to create memories that are important to us.