Last updated on October 29, 2025
Feb. 28 — The Hampshire College Art Gallery featured its first exhibition of the semester, từ đâu, wherefrom, by Xuân Pham which opened on February 13.
Composed of materials like rice paper, pandan, and brooms, commonly available in Vietnam, Pham’s exhibition reflects the complex experiences of the Vietnamese immigrant community. According to information provided by Art Gallery Director Lorenzo Conte, từ đâu, wherefrom explores “the nuances of citizenship, assimilation, fantasy, trauma, and performance as a foundation for racial identity.”
The artist’s own experience of emigrating from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at the age of seven inspired this exhibition and her advocacy on behalf of global diasporic communities. According to Pham, solidarity among immigrant communities is paramount in countering “grief created by colonial violence.” She argues that “collective liberation, empathy, and storytelling ”allow for healing that provides hope in a climate where anti-immigrant sentiment is rising.
Pham is deeply appreciative of the many individuals who supported her to create the exhibition and recognizes that từ đâu, wherefrom isn’t a finished product, but instead is in a constant state of renewal.
từ đâu, wherefrom will be on view in the Hampshire College Art Gallery on the ground floor of the library until March 16, 2025.
REVIEWED BY: Ryan Nivus, Axen Wetzel, Blaise Paine, Ana Chin
