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Saib Kuv Exhibit Catalog
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Transcript of Saib Kuv Exhibit Catalog
SAIB KUV
"Watch Me - See The Hmong In Me"
In Progress proudly presents
a collection of photographic works by emerging artists
from the Twin Cities Hmong community.
The works speak to the rich diversity that exists within every culture. It calls for everyone to watch and appreciate
the desires, fears and aspirations of the young artists that produced the contents of this book.
The works were all created through the use of digital cameras and computers and were then printed, framed and presented publicly by the following artists
Houa Lor Mee Thao Sai Thao Kao Choua Vue Jessie Zubiran
We thank all of the artists that have lent their work to the beauty of Saib Kuv
(cover art by Mainou Vue)
�
HMONG ME
I am proud to wear Hmong clothes because it shows that I respect being Hmong. When I look at this picture it makes me feel
proud and happy being a Hmong girl. My face shows that there are two feelings about being Hmong.
First, that I am proud and happy being Hmong.
Second, is that sometimes I think about how it is being Hmong.
What would it be like to ������������ and ��� to have Xiong as my last name?
I am proud to be Hmong and will always keep my last name sacred.
Both my race and last name are an honor to have and be a part of.
Yunie Xiong
�
HMONG ME Serina & Mainou Vue
�
HMONG ME Sai Thao
�
HMONG ME
This is the life we have in the United States.
We have adapted to the culture and language here.
But we are losing ours, even though our parents
teach us. We were fluent then, but as we grow
older English is what we have had to learn. We are
forgetting where we came from and the history itself.
The Hmong people’s past, culture, and language are
disappearing. As time goes by, we too are fading
and disappearing.
Cha Lor
�
HMONG ME
Being raised in America, I feel it is hard for me to be
connected with my Hmong culture. When I wear
my Hmong clothes it makes me feel like a true
Hmong women. My hat is made from a black cloth.
Sewn on to it are beads with colorful puffballs at-
tached to the ends. It symbolizes the beautiful flow-
ers of the summer. I am wearing a heavy silver
necklace with beautiful carvings and chains hanging
from it. My shirt was made from a carefully chosen
silky blue cloth. The beauty of the flowers that
blooms on it expresses the loveliness of spring. And
what truly makes it wonderful is that my mother had
sewn it with her own hands.
Mee Thao
�
HMONG ME
What makes me, me
My beautiful fiery red eyes…
Is the sign of confidence,
My silver Hmong pendant…
Shows who and what I truly am,
My unbreakable stares,
And my soft glares…
Love, peace, serenity…
But now, there only lies part of me…
Just me…
The necklace
The glares
And stares
The eyes
Are what makes me, me
Choua Lor
�
���������
Watch me FLOW along with rice, tradition and
culture.
Let me just flow along the cracks on
the floor.
I leave these spaces for you to move freely.
My face structures out this baby beauty.
But if you know me,
My beauty will soak your mind.
This dimension will change what we can’t
define.
But if you try hard, you will find it in me.
Kao Choua Vue
�
HMONG WE
We’re Americanized and yet this is what they don’t see. We do as we want, while they do what they think is best.
We break traditions. While they try to keep it going.
We’re lesbians. We’re Hmong.
Why is it so wrong? Put up with it or we both walk out! Yell at us and we close our ears!
Tell us to let go? Well what kind of parents are you then?
Why can’t you just have pride in us? Why is it that our elders cannot see or understand what true love is?
Even though we are lesbians we are also Hmong. Please just accept that we’re Hmong and Americanized
and that we are in love!
Maisee Thao Deanna Xiong
�
HMONG ME
When the days became shorter, I became weaker. When the days grew darker, I began to fade. When I was in the dark alone, I had no one to hold. But when I cried, my tears dropped onto the dark floor. Then I saw a bright light heading my way. By the time I knew it, I was reaching for the light. I flew like the wind. I reached the sun. I touched it with all my wisdom. Now I’m as bright as the sun. Now I know that it was the sun that was head-ing my way and I thank the sun. Now I am holding that sun to know I am no longer alone. In the dark, dark path. Now I am in the bright path to walk and I thank the sun that brought light to me. The sun wanted to be in my heart to bring light to every-one I know. So I let the sun in. I’ll keep it as a secret to myself. Now that it is a secret
Shhhh….
Gaona Xiong
�
HMONG ME
can you see me?
can you see through to me?
can you see the HMONG in me?
I CAN
Mainyoua Thao
HMONG ME Ying Yang & Meng Xiong
�
HMONG ME Cheenou Xiong & Houa Lor
�
PINK
I like pink!
Pink is my favorite color.
I get pink shoes and socks and even pink bracelets.
I like to paint my nails pink too.
I like pink!
I am most happy when I’m dressed in pink.
It is a good day to be pink!
Maniechan Xiong
�
HMONG MEE
I am a proud Hmong woman.
The symbols are already engraved within me, strengthening my heart.
Even though I was born in the U.S. my blood is still pure.
My mind may be tainted with other cultures,
but I am still what I was born to be.
Mee Thao
MORE THAN JUST A HMONG CLOTH
This is my world in front of you
It is etched into my skin
It can’t be taken away
I live and die with it
I wear my people’s history on my back
I am honor and carry it with me
Kao Choua Vue
(portrait of Mee Thao)
�
FROZEN
Existence evolves
as time sits still
frozen
awaiting to be
defrosted
by our growth
Sai Thao
�
MYSTERY OF THE HMONG
There is a mystery
behind the beads
do you know
what it is?
it is the face
of a very
intelligent girl
named
Mainou
Mainou Vue
�
A BEAUTIFUL DAY
This picture
is of me
looking down
from the sky
smiling
happily
on a
beautiful day
Mainou Vue
�
MOTHER
I am so young and hopeless
My baby and I run within this never-ending jungle
I am so young and hopeless
I cannot find peace when night falls or daybreak
I am constantly running
I am so young and hopeless
Where is my freedom?
Where is my home?
I am a young mother
I am a young widow
Forgive me baby if I do fail you
You were born in a time to struggle to survive
Kao Choua Vue
THIS PICTURE
this journey is not going to end
hand in hand we hold strong not knowing what is before us
and not learning to forget what is behind us
this picture was not supposed to be kept but this is what was left of us
it was to be ripped apart and thrown away but
we’d rather have it buried along with us
this picture is for my family
Kao Choua Vue
OPIUM
look at the poppy seed
that was his life he smoked it as medicine
now
he abuses it as an addiction
he brought shame to the family
he wasted our last drop of money on those poppy seeds
that was his life that was his life
Kao Choua Vue
FRIENDS & ENEMIES
This is me
This is my best friend
This is us
Sai Thao
�
NATURE
this is our nature
to be this way
to want to change
to be a certain way
this is our nature
to choose to be like this
like the outside nature
the petals and the leaves
they fall
that is our nature
Kia Thao, Mee Thao & Kao Choua Vue
�
STRANGERS
strangers they come and go. I am one of them
will you remember me?
strangers
they build and build and every one of them becomes
a stranger I am one of them
Will you remember me?
portrait of Maisee Thao writing by Kao Choua Vue
Various Photographers
�
RELIEF
Relief because we escaped from the war
Exposed children back in Laos
Frightening looks on the faces of the people
Losing loved ones along the way
Every little detail of the great loss
Coming to the U.S. was a
Turning point for some of the Hmong
Illusions in our mind
Only our parents understands how it really feels
If only there were no more violence back in Laos…
Choua Lor
�
GOING-GOING-GOING -GONE
This life we have in the United States
We have adapted to the culture and language here
But we are losing ours
Our parents teaches us
We were fluent then, but as we grew older
English is what we ad to learn
We are forgetting where we came from and the history itself
The Hmong people’s past, culture, and language is disappearing
As time goes by, we fade and disappear
Cha Lor
�
MY GRANDMA IS FROM LAOS Maniechan Xiong
�
HMONG AMERICAN Hongfa Thao
�
HMONG NEW YEAR
I like to dress up. I like to go to the Hmong New Year.
When I go, I see many older girls.
I like visiting with the older girls.
I like to buy toys at the New Year too.
Going to Hmong New Year
makes me
happy.
Maniechan Xiong
�
HMONG GIRLS ROCK
My friends and I are wearing Hmong clothes to show that we rock as Hmong
girls. The flowers on our faces shows that we want peace and respect. When I
look at this picture it makes me feel like I have respect, and everyone needs
respect. I am proud that there are other Hmong girls in this photo with me
because it makes me feel stronger to know that I’m not alone.
Hmong girls ROCK!
Yunie Xiong
�
�
ME-N-THE FOUNTAIN
The water falls out like a newborn baby.
And that’s how I felt when I’m living in that fountain.
The fountain is like my home.
Where I am protect and heal there.
The fountain is my place I like to be.
When I am alone I go to that fountain than soon I know I am not alone anymore.
I get heal and I get protect.
That is fun how I am living in that fountain.
The fountain represents nature and beauty to me.
And this is the fountain that I am living in.
Gaona Xiong
�
REMEMBERING SAD MOMENTS
I tried so hard not to notice
I pretended not to care
And when you passed me
I faked a smile on my lips
Made you think that I was happy
Time has passed and
I even convinced me too
Then you walked on by
And memories flooded my mind
I tried so hard to forget
I pretended not to stare
I’m jealous of your smile
I noticed you’re happy
Yunie Xiong
�
BLINDED
I am blinded by what I want and look to others for help. I can’t understand these feel-
ings and I drowned myself with fear. I am a frozen dreamer who craves for new begin-
nings. No one can help me I need to help myself. So I lay here to be one with the earth
as I put my fear to rest.
Mee Thao
�
REFLECTION
Every single day I wonder about who I am today. I take a glimpse in the mirror but I do
not know who is looking back at me. This game has been going on for too long. I take a
rest at trying to find out who she is, and I find she is my reflection. My reflection shows
who I have become: a Hmong girl living in a world that is not her own. This place she
calls home is just another trap to make her feel vulnerable. I am in denial; destroyed and
torn into pieces. My reflection shows the truth hidden behind a little smile. My reflec-
tion…
Maniechan & Gaona Xiong
�
Saib Kuv Artists
Cha Lor Choua Lor Houa Lor
Mainyoua Lor Hongfa Thao
Kia Thao Maisee Thao
Sai Thao David Vang
Kao Choua Vue Mainou Vue Serina Vue
Ty Vue Cheenou Xiong Deanna Xiong Gaona Xiong
Maniechan Xiong Meng Xiong Yunie Xiong Ying Yang
�
Acknowledgements
����Saib Kuv������������� ���������� ��������������������������� ������������ ��� ������ ����
the local community. With that we would like to thank the following:
Families - parents, spouses, siblings, children and friends�����������������������������������������������
to plan and prepare this exhibit, and that continue to support their artistic development with kind words
and guidance.
Curators & Organizers�������� ���� ����������������������� ���������o this project.
Mentors�������� �������������� �������������������������� ������ ���������������������
Partners�������� ��� ������������������ ��������������� ����� �� ���� ���������������������������
year. Special thanks to Kathy Mouacheuppao, Center for Hmong Arts & Talent�� ������ ������Portage
for Youth���
���������������������� ��� ������������������ � ��������������������������������� ��������������
�� ��������� ������������������������������������������� ��
The McKnight Foundation
The Minnesota State Arts Board - Arts In Education Program
The National Endowment for the Arts - Arts In Education Program
The Yackel Foundation
Visitors ��������� ����� ��������������������� ����� ����������������� �����������������������
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������� ������������������������������ ������������������������ua tsaug,���� ���