Personal Archaeology

The Bakersfield Museum of Art
September 28, 2023 - January 6, 2024

The creative process has the profound nature to transport individuals into universal, transpersonal realms. The act of channeling your inner thoughts and feelings into a physical form provides solace for the artist but also offers viewers an opportunity to examine and process their own emotions through the artwork. Kacy Jung and Kieu Tran, have used sculpture and photography to make peace with specific chapters of their lives.

Through their artistic practice, they have discovered and confronted hidden emotions and reflected on questions that have haunted them. Art found these artists at unexpected points in their lives, leading them to leave behind prior career paths in biomedical science and software engineering. As Asian American women, their work is incredibly personal to their own cultural identities, albeit sometimes political, while also providing meditations of universal feelings, highlighting just how connected we all are.

Personal Archaeology strives to give form and beauty to the human soul while eliciting emotions of love, sorrow, and resilience in a world that often struggles with the manipulative nature of societal norms.

Hidden Things

“Hidden Things” is an enigmatic sculpture that invites viewers to explore the hidden depths of personal and collective narratives. From one perspective, the artwork presents an abstract figure enveloped in a fabric reminiscent of a curtain or hero's cape, allowing for varied interpretations based on individual perceptions. On the opposing side, a ladder precariously leans against the draped fabric, leading to a mysterious destination concealed from immediate view.

The sculpture serves as a meditation on the intricacies of concealment, delving into the aspects of our lives that remain obscured—be they personal struggles, inherited traumas, or the myriad emotions we contain within. It prompts contemplation on the performative nature of our identities, underscoring the existence of secret passages that we consciously or subconsciously hide.

“Hidden Things” delves into the profound question of how our identities undergo constant transformation through the ebb and flow of relationships with space, memory, and our sense of belonging. The sculpture prompts viewers to reflect on the concealed layers of self and the inherited secrets that shape our understanding, challenging us to reconsider the dynamic interplay between the seen and the hidden in the intricate tapestry of identity.

Personal Archaeology installation view at the Bakersfield Museum of Art

Personal Archaeology

Personal Archaeology installation view at the Bakersfield Museum of Art

Journey Inward

“Journey Inward” ponders whether it’s possible to truly know oneself or another person. The form has a huge opening, an invite to look through and across this form. The opening is a portal. There’s a staircase that’s moveable, so you can decide where you want to travel in your journey inward, but when it’s resting in the opening on the sculpture, the stairs lead nowhere and anywhere.

Personal Archaeology installation view at the Bakersfield Museum of Art

Kyoto

"Kyoto" echoes an abstracted torii gate, drawn from memories of Japan. It reflects my emotions of acceptance and familiarity during my first visit to an Asian country as an Asian American. The sculpture embodies the essence of being seen and accepted.

Resilience

Started amidst George Floyd's tragic death and BLM protests, "Resilience" embodies internal anguish and external chaos. Finished, it conveys strength in adversity, standing against discrimination. In the face of the Asian hate incidents following, the sculpture urges unity and mutual understanding

Inner Dialogue

"Inner Dialogue " is a captivating abstract figurative sculpture that intricately portrays the complex interplay of gender, racial, and class identities within the context of our inner thoughts. The textured squiggle adorning its head suggests a furrowed brow, symbolizing the persistent and challenging thoughts that often accompany our internal reflections. This unique artwork skillfully captures the inherent tension of navigating societal expectations while staying true to our individual narratives.

The dynamic element of the sculpture lies in its movable staircase, inviting viewers to actively engage with the artwork. As you ascend or descend the stairs, you embark on a personal journey into the heart of the form and, by extension, into the depths of self-discovery. The mobility of the staircase emphasizes the fluidity of our paths and the agency we possess in shaping our own narratives.

"Inner Dialogue " encourages contemplation on the intricacies of identity and the choices we make in navigating the multifaceted layers of societal expectations. Through its thought-provoking design and interactive elements, this sculpture invites visitors to reflect on the dynamic relationship between external influences and the authentic voice within.