Đăng-Vũ Đặng

What does it mean to be part of the (Dutch) Vietnamese diaspora? How do we navigate between cultures and political ideologies? How do we carry forward our family's legacy and how do we deal with inter-generational trauma? How can we reclaim control over our identity —defining ourselves on our own terms?

As a descendant of Bắc 54 people and Vietnamese boat refugees, I explore these questions by examining the complexities of my own identity and family history through a post-colonial lens. My very existence is shaped by the introduction of Christianity to Vietnam, by French colonialism, by war, and by the long struggle for independence, freedom, and self-determination. I would not exist without the country's reunification under communist rule.

In 2022, I visited the heavily damaged tomb of Emperor Thiệu Trị. Scattered across the grounds were fragments that revealed how deeply my existence is entwined with Vietnam’s colonial past and the spread of Christianity. This encounter with history compelled me to search for my ancestral land and cemetery in northern Vietnam later that same year.

After reconnecting with my ancestors, I began to experience an unusual amount of luck and serendipity during my visits to Vietnam. The materials I’ve encountered and the insights I’ve gained on these annual journeys since 2022 have become the foundation of my artistic practice.