Hello, my name is Edward Xiong. I am a Hmong-American artist and am a senior at Ronald Reagan High School. Ever since I saw my grandma making her traditional Hmong textiles and passing this tradition down from her own parents to her children, I have been interested in the arts. These pieces are the main inspiration for my own art and passion to continue the rich Hmong culture and heritage. I feel that art is about expressing one's culture and, in return, inspiring one another to learn about their own culture. Furthermore, it shows the world about me and exposes people to different perspectives and historical events that the general public is not aware of.
My vision for my art is to reflect my identity and, in the process, learn about my Hmong heritage. This allows the audience to connect to my artwork and get exposure to the struggle and what the Hmong have preserved |