Welcome to 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, hosted by Rob Lee, engage in this meaningful conversation with Theresa-Xuan Thanh Bui, a first-generation Vietnamese-American, is a budding artist pursuing a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Fiber with a minor in Art History and a concentration in Curatorial Studies and Creative Writing at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Their passion lies in both the creative act of making and the profound importance of listening and valuing others, leading them to engage in curation as a means to introspect and uplift their community. With a mission to deconstruct conventional art institution norms, they aim to create space for the unconventional, radical, exquisite, and unseen. Theresa Bui's emerging artistry encompasses performative poetry and a diverse approach to art, influenced by their Vietnamese refugee heritage, delving into themes of identity, embodiment, and linguistic influence while authentically infusing their work with intention and cultural lineage.

In this episode, we uncover:

• How Theresa Bui's creative practice interweaves poetry, performance, sound, and music, enhancing the expressive depth of her artistry.
• How Theresa derives inspiration from her lived experiences, and how she strives to authentically communicate her personal truths through her creative works.
• Dive into the intriguing sources of inspiration that shape Theresa's art, such as her fascination with children's books, fire, and spiders, and how these seemingly simple elements carry profound complexities in her creations.
• Discuss Theresa's artistic philosophy of harnessing available resources and identifying the unique 10% that makes each artwork exceptional, offering insights into the creative process of honing artistic uniqueness.
• Examine how Theresa's familial roots and Vietnamese cultural heritage serve as powerful influences on her art, in conjunction with her unwavering belief in intention and faith, and how these elements fuse to create a rich tapestry of meaning in her work.

Don't miss this incredible episode as Theresa discusses her creative practice and what drew her to the mediums she works in. She emphasizes the importance of embodying her experiences and using words, sound, and rhythm to convey her truth. Theresa also shares how she got started in performative poetry and the transformative power of her early work. She discusses the influence of children's books on her art and the inspiration she finds in fire and spiders. Theresa reflects on the complementary skills she has developed as an artist and the importance of working with what you have. She also shares insights into her sources of knowledge and the elements of her family lineage and Vietnamese culture that are embedded in her work. Finally, Theresa discusses how she manages her time and the importance of finding the 10% that makes her art special.

Mentioned in this episode
Last Resort Artist Retreat
Theresa's website
Photo credit Joseph Bui

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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