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OVERVIEW
Presented with the opportunity to design the poster and mural for the new library collection at San Jose City College's Library, history and community become the forefront of this project.
Named after Dr. Việt Thanh Nguyễn, the new Asian Pacific American Curriculum Collection (APACC) mural draws inspiration from the experiences and influence of the different Asian American communities within San Jose and the city's intertwined history with them.
EARLY CONCEPTS
The early stages of the project consisted of reflection and exercises for artistic inspiration and practice. Trinh helped guide both Nhu and me in identifying the themes and emotions we aimed to convey through the art piece.
Flora was one of the main driving themes that the mural project followed, with different flowers representing different Asian cultures, geography, and nations.
Particularly, the Lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera) and the Sampaguita or Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) were the first two flowers rendered to represent Vietnamese, Filipino, and Arabic identities and influence.
Additionally, the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) were followed through to further tie in the Californian/American facet of these communities and further expand on the representation of other Asian identities. Through Ginkgo's prominence on San Jose City College's campus, along with its cultural roots stemming from East Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan, we aimed to further encapsulate the beautiful intertwined experience and influence of Asian-Americans in San Jose.
Lotus Anatomy Study
Sampaguita Anatomy Study
DRAFTS
Through the established themes and elements, the team was able to draft several layouts for the mural, blending them into one cohesive piece. Additional elements that were added included notable landmarks in San Jose like Grand Century Mall, Sikh Gurdwara, the SJCC Technology Building, and Trống đồng (Vietnamese Drum) elements.
Early Draft of Mural
The focal point of the mural is an outstretched hand that is holding an open book with flora (Ginkgo, California Poppies, Roses) growing from it, reinforcing the testament of wisdom and knowledge cultivating life.
The hand can be seen with cracks in gilded gold as a reference to the Japanese technique of Kintsugi, wherein imperfections and damage are repaired and highlighted in gold. This serves as a testament to embracing trauma and imperfections as facets of our identity and ones that shape us into who we are now.
Two figures were also added within the mural to further portray the Asian identity through the life and culture in work and religion. The first figure is a rice farmer harvesting grain, emphasizing the significant role rice has played in Asian culture, food, and history. The second figure is a worshipper praying with lit incense sticks in their hands, meant to portray the prominence of incense burning within numerous Asian religions.
The Trống đồng (Vietnamese Drum) and the Chim Lạc (crane/bird found in the drum design) were added throughout the piece as well, emphasizing the themes of travel, migration, and the role of Vietnamese culture in helping shape San Jose city into what it is now.
The library also asked us to design a sticker label that will be used to identify books that belong to the collection. Our main inspiration for the sticker's design is Sàigòn Mới, which is Dr. Nguyễn's parents' store and a prominent landmark in his upbringing. We played with the same elements of Ginkgo, California Poppies, and added Monarch Butterflies, which reflected the themes of transformation, strength, and migration.
The text in both pieces is also referenced to Sàigòn Mới, following its signage of a red bold font with capitalized letters except the "i" and simulating the various Asian writing systems.
Draft of Sticker Label
Sàigòn Mới
FINAL PIECES
The final mural and sticker, alongside a detailed list of elements used in the art piece. Click on each element for resources on their history, significance, and meaning!
SJCC Technology Building
BOOK STICKER
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FINAL NOTES
Working on this project has been a great honor and a privilege. This mural wouldn't have been possible without the guidance of the wonderful Trinh Mai and the hard work of my friend and artist Nhu Dang. The themes of growth, history, and identity continue to resonate in my mind months after completing this project, and I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to give back and proudly represent the community that warmly welcomed me as someone who moved to San Jose just two years ago, which I can now call my home.