Today we’d like to introduce you to Vy Ngo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Considering the uncertainty of my family’s path, I’m abundantly grateful and blessed to have become the woman I am today, a physician, artist, and mother. My parents, expecting their first child, were forced to leave Vietnam in 1975 as refugees, leaving everything and everyone they knew, with hopes for better life in the United States. Like many children of immigrants, knowing the sacrifice my parents made for me, motivated me to work hard, to invest in my education, and to focus on goals defined by more traditional views of success.
Early on in life, I had a natural love and passion for the arts. I was always expressing myself through dance, movement, theater, drawing or writing. However, it was my interest in the sciences, volunteer work at the local children’s hospital and a strong sense of service to the community, that led me to pursue a career as a pediatrician. With a lot of determination and hard work, I persevered through decades of schooling and training to become a doctor and later settled in Austin, Texas. But what happens when you reach your goal, and you still feel unfulfilled?
After a decade of developing a successful career as a physician and raising a beautiful family of my own, I came to a crossroads — a crisis so to speak. I was falling into depression and I didn’t know why. It seemed like I had everything I wanted, yet I still felt unsatisfied. I truly enjoyed my job and loved being a mom, but there was a huge part of me missing. After lots of soul-searching (a.k.a. therapy), and encouragement from my loved ones, I rediscovered my creative voice and began painting. I had to redefine myself by what it means to live life fully. I had to reconnect with my heart and find the passion I once had through artistic expression. And once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was like the floodgates opened and decades of life experience came pouring out onto a canvas. Now, looking back, I realize I was always an artist. I just needed to learn how to balance work, family and studio time, to find my truth and to live the life I was meant to live.
Has it been a smooth road?
The path to medicine was difficult due to the time, mental and physical commitment needed to accomplish such a career. Life in the arts is a different struggle: it is a more emotional and mentally challenging pursuit and you never stop growing or learning.
Fear and insecurity are strong motivators for many people, especially women. Being told you aren’t good enough, that you don’t’ fit in or that you won’t succeed, was the fire that made me want to prove everyone wrong. With medicine, my education and training gave me confidence and validity in my knowledge, and my ability to connect with people gave me the skills I needed to be a good clinician. However, I didn’t go to art school or receive an MFA, so how could I be valid as an artist? How did I build my confidence? How could I possibly pursue shows and enter juried competitions? How was I going to be taken seriously if I already have a stable profession? By doing what I do best: by studying, working hard, putting in the time and taking risks.
I approached my studio practice as a discipline, a form of education. Through workshops, mentorships and connecting with other artists, I also started to build a community around me to help build the support system needed to counterbalance the isolationism of studio work and the negative self-talk we all experience. This is an essential part of becoming an artist.
As artists, I think we can be our worst critics, but we can also be our biggest cheerleaders if we let ourselves become motivated by the work. By having a clear story and personal connection, that alone makes you an artist. By believing in your point of view and believing that you have something to say, allows you to be vulnerable and that is how people connect with your work.
Lastly, just put yourself out there. The first juried competition I applied was the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series. I remember entering nonchalantly and I completely forgot about it. Then, a few months later, I was notified of being a finalist in the regionals with a chance to go to Miami Art Basel. This completely took me by surprise, but this gave me the confidence to believe in the merit of my work and talent and I continued to apply for shows and various opportunities.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am inspired by different cultures, my Vietnamese American identity, the study of neuroscience, and my children. My artwork ranges from depictions of social injustices, questions regarding cultural identity to abstract memories and landscapes. Although my subject matter may vary depending on the series or shows, my work is unidentifiably mine through my use of layers, color, movement, and textures.
Currently, I just finished a body of work for my upcoming solo show called “Dreamscapes”. It is a series of abstract paintings based on memories of my youth, various relationships and life experience. I call them “abstract memories” because memories are merely a series of interpretations of events related to emotional responses and imprints of data left behind. Memories are not accurate, nor based on time or reality. Over time, the imprints become degraded and merge into a dreamlike state.
“Dreamscapes” will be on view at Recspec Gallery in Austin, TX from Sept 15 – Oct 06
https://recspec-gallery.com/pages/vy-ngo-dreamscapes
What are you most proud of as a brand, organization or service provider?
I try every opportunity to support my fellow artists and to give back to the community. Whether it be through curating an art show, producing a fundraiser event or donating portions of sales, I feel it is important to be an active participate in the art community, as well as donate and support to local non-profits, such as Community First, Safe Alliance and various Refugee and Immigration Services. We are all connected and positive energies align with positive work, I truly believe that.
What sets you apart from others?
I don’t like to confine myself or feel the need to confirm or pigeonhole myself as an artist.
Not knowing what the future holds, excites me. I can see myself expanding into sculpture, conceptual work, installations, and other mediums. To me, these are just different modalities of expressing your point of view or story. Without exploration and change, the work becomes stagnant and that would be boring. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and push yourself beyond your limits.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Never underestimate your abilities and what you can bring to the narrative but put it into action by showing up and doing the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vyngostudio.com
- Email: vyngoartworks@gmail.com
- Instagram: @vjngo_art
Image Credit:
Christina Q Photography
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