We Are: Chang, Cheng, Chue, Fang, Hang, Her, Khang, Kong/Soung, Kue, Lee, Lor, Moua, Pha, Thao, Vang, Vue, Xiong, Yang
Performance
2020
The Hmong do not have an official flag as displaced people. With histories of war, genocide, oppression, and forced assimilation, the Hmong body is guided from the fabric of our ancestors through voice and embroidered dress. The clothing that covers our bodies became markers of resilience through the intricate patterns and bright colors made by the hands of the matriarchs and sisters of our community. But these are not just patterns. They are storyboards coded with our written language that were destroyed by oppressive countries in Asia. The symbols woven into our clothing showcase a resilient history and resistance to assimilation. Though undecipherable today, these symbols are reminders for the present generation now residing all over the world who are navigating their Hmongness.
We Are: Chang, Cheng, Chue, Fang, Hang, Her, Khang, Kong/Soung, Kue, Lee, Lor, Moua, Pha, Thao, Vang, Vue, Xiong, Yang commemorates the 18 clans of the Hmong diaspora using Hmong designed fabrics sourced from Thailand and my mother’s collection of fabrics. The fabrics are formed into a flag with 18 stripes in collaboration with voice recordings of 18 Hmong women reciting their individual clan name. This work is a celebration of community as well as reimagines a world where our stories are known without the acts of erasure and colonization. It is a flag that makes itself known with time, processing the needs of visibility.
When adding a new strip with my own hands, I am remembering the strength of my ancestors. Because of their sacrifices, I am able to create a flag that reflects their untold stories. I honor and uplift every word spoken out of resistance, every step taken for freedom, and the bodies that were slain in the process. This gesture is not only a tribute to my ancestors of Hmong diaspora, but a tribute to humanity, those that came before me and who are currently fighting to breathe, navigating these spaces in hopes of a just future.
This project is part of the
Windows to the World exhibition at
6018North curated by the Justice Hotel curators (Wisdom Baty, Ciera McKissick, Caroline K. Ng, Ji Yang, and Su Yeon Lim) and 6018North.
Performance calendar at 6018North:
August 6, 2020 -
Click for full performanceAugust 13, 2020 -
Click for full performanceAugust 20, 2020 -
Click for full performanceAugust 27, 2020 -
Click for full performanceA special thanks to the women who partnered with me on the sound piece:
D. from the Cha/Chang clan
Katelyn from the Cheng clan
Kasia from the Chue clan
Ta from the Fang clan
Kayla from the Hang clan
Tshab from the Her clan
Sheng from the Khang clan
Pang Foua from the Kong/Soung clan
Maila from the Kue clan
Crystal from the Lee clan
Alice from the Lor clan
Kathy from the Moua clan
Dee from the Pha clan
La from the Thao clan
Yer from the Vang clan
Isabelle from the Vue clan
Bonlia from the Xiong clan
Nancy from the Yang clan
Photo documentation by 6018North, Jesse R. Meredith, and James Kang.