Episode 44: Vy Ngo - Present In This Moment

Scott David Gordon — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 23:00:00 -0500

"We are all connected. We need to be a village for each other and raise and support each other through everything. Being in the art community what I have found is that I've finally found my tribe. I found my tribe in the people that understand the emotional roller coaster ride of being an artist and the constant self questioning and pushing. It’s that hunger in us to constantly be better."

After going to medical school and practicing as a pediatrician for many years, and at the same time growing a family, Vy Ngo felt that there was still something missing from her life. As a child and in high school she pursued many artistic endeavors, but that took the back seat to her career as a physician for decades.

Once she started creating art again three years ago, her drive to work hard and push herself to be the best kicked in, and it has greatly enhanced the rest of her life in the process. She found that creating art was a way that she could have freedom and time away from the demands of her life and it also made her feel more whole and facilitated a lot of personal growth, and self acceptance

She acknowledges what a blessed life she has and wouldn’t be here if not for the courage of her parents who left Vietnam at the end of the war and made a perilous journey to the US. Starting with nothing they built a successful life and worked very hard. Vy’s parents sacrificed a lot and that has inspired her to make the most of her life and to be of service and help people. She chose to work with children, who she learns a lot from, and sees as being very truthful and masters of the present moment in their youthful innocence.

It’s inspiring to see how hard Vy works and what her parents overcame to bring her to the US and then raise her to be an amazing human being. Even though she works as a physician and has a family she’s figured out a way to also be an artist who prioritizes relationships, connection, and vulnerability.

Art has been very fulfilling and has enhanced everything else she does in her life. It has helped her get through loss and grief. And it is helping her to process and understand her cultural identity in the world. The dialogue continues between her and whatever medium she chooses as she strives to express her life and figure out how to translate feelings and emotions into works that others can connect with.

Some of the subjects we discuss:

Her 3 jobs
Childhood interests
High school pursuits
Parents story/Vietnam
Medical school/11 years
Turning point/balance
Community
Starting to paint
Art education?
Strangers from home
Lessons learned
Meeting with friends
Having a studio
Being present
Human connection
Medical/art classes
Vulnerability
Memories/time
Dreamscapes series
Grandmother/poetry
The Artist’s Way
Future plans
In-between series

Vy Ngo – Dreamscapes

On view through October 6th

RECSPEC Gallery
2832 East Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Austin, Texas 78702
(Inside Flatbed Press and Gallery)
Open every Saturday from 12-4,
for exhibitions and by appointment.

New works by Austin, Texas based abstract artist Vy Ngo.

With a future that feels so uncertain for many, “Dreamscapes” is a show about how our historical past and memories can shift with time and emotionality into a world unrecognizable even to ourselves. Through exploring the depths and layers of those unfamiliar landscapes, it gives hope in discovering the evanescent beauty of all things and that focusing on the present moment will only bring more infinite possibilities

Photo by @christinaqphotography

“Life is available only in the present moment. If you abandon the present moment you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian

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Links:

Austin Art Talk - Episodes Tagged with “Vy Ngo”

Episode 44: Vy Ngo - Present In This Moment