the art N. Her

Untangled Threads consist of four hand embroidered portraits of my mother, father, grandmother, a self-portrait, and a map of the world showing the Hmong diaspora. Untangled Threads is centered on the distinctiveness of my identity as a Hmong American woman and pays homage to prominent Hmong individuals who have influenced my life. In this series, I am expressing concepts of my Hmong American identity, capturing what I value in my Hmong culture, and educating my viewers about the Hmong people.

 

The written Hmong language was not established until the early 1970’s. Before then there was no written history by the Hmong people. To maintain their history and culture, the Hmong people referred to paj ntaub*, story cloths, songs, poems, and an oral language. For that reason, I created Untangled Threads to serve as a historical visual depiction of my Hmong American identity. I chose embroidery in reference to the tradition paj ntaub and story clothes.

 

The Vietnam War functioned as a crucial detour in the history of the Hmong people. It created a great diaspora that spread the Hmong people all over the world. Due to the Vietnam War, the Hmong people were forced to flee their homes in Southeast Asia and relocate to the United States and various other countries. My parents and their family were among the Hmong people who had to flee.

 

Untangled Threads is dedicated to my parents, my family, my ancestors, and the new generations of Hmong Americans. I wish I could heal you in all the places you are hurt.

*Paj ntaub: Translates into English as “flower cloth.” It is a traditional form of Hmong textile work, combining both embroidery and reverse applique techniques.