Hmong people have historically communicated through oral language, with no standardized writing system due to cultural persecution, and wide spread migration between China, South East Asia, and America. In spite of the language being outlawed, women used sewing, and embroidery skills as a form of resistance, recording history, and passing culture onto new generations. As a Hmong-American with limited ability to both read, and write in Hmong, I continue the practice of using a visual dialogue that transcends language, and generational barriers to tell my story.

Themes of “Noj Mov (naw maw)/Eating Food” include tradition through comfort food, familial relationships, and connection through toys. The project includes 3 sets: Me Nyuam (me nyua)/Child’s Set), Niam (nyea)/Mom’s Set, and Niam Tais (nyea thai)/Grandma’s Set. Each contains a staple childhood meal selected through interviews with maternal family members, and represents three familial generations: elders born in Laos, children born in Laos who are now adults in America, and children that have only known America as their homeland. The dishes also portray the socioeconomic statuses based on the time, and birth place the set belongs to.

Pink, green, yellow, and blue were chosen as they are important in Hmong textiles like story cloth, and flower cloth/paj ntaub (paw thauw). They both use geometric, and organic shapes to create human subjects, backgrounds, and motifs to tell a narrative, such as the heart, and stairs symbols on the Niam/Mom’s Set. With 3D modeling software, and 3D printing, I was able to produce multiple batches of sculptures, before refining them by hand. The technology assisted in making incremental improvements easier, and allowed me to focus on adding personal touches to each piece despite its digital nature.

Though the Hmong people have made great strides in America within the 50 years that we’ve arrived, we are now faced with the reality of slowly losing our culture. The ability to read, and write Hmong varies widely between families, parents, and siblings. With no formal standard of learning, we must educate ourselves through participation, and practice. With this project, I choose to share, pay homage to my heritage, and ensure Hmong cultural knowledge extends beyond me.