Emerson Contemporary Show Examines Effects of Vietnam War, Colonialism

Emerson Contemporary’s new exhibition, One Day We’ll Go Home, features the work of five Vietnamese American artists who critique the established historical narratives of the wars in Vietnam, colonialism, dislocation, and their long-lasting aftermath.

“It is my hope that through the stories these artists tell, we gain a deeper understanding of what happened in Vietnam and how these events continue to impact millions of people to this day,” said Leonie Bradbury, distinguished curator-in-residence. “Although this exhibition is focused on the Vietnamese diaspora and the impact of the historic events of 1975 and beyond, sadly this topic has renewed relevance today as many refugee crises are happening concurrently across the globe.”

The group exhibition features recent work by Tiffany Chung, Brandon Tho Harris, Tuấn Andrew Nguyễn, Patricia Nguyễn, and Julian Saporiti.

Bradbury curated the exhibit, which also includes wall texts by Writing, Literature and Publishing Assistant Professor Catherine Nguyen. The exhibition and related programming is supported by Emerson’s School of the Arts, and Department of Writing, Literature & Publishing, and the Harvard University Asia Center.

More information about public programming related to the exhibit is available on Emerson Contemporary’s website.  

The exhibition is on view in the Media Art Gallery at 25 Avery Street, November 1 – December 16, 2023. Free and open to the public, Tuesday – Saturday from 12-6 pm. There is an opening reception, Friday, November 3, 5-7:30 pm.

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