“Merely a Puppet”

1. “Merely a Puppet” Artwork By: Joey Vang

2. Story I waited patiently in Drawing 2 class, while Mr. Lee is preparing his special news for us students. My mind was creating images of what I would like to draw for our next assignment. As class began, Mr. Lee interrupted us with a proposal. The proposal was from the U of MN and it was an art contest. He said that this will be more of a self-portrait art and we will have to create an image, base on what this quote states. “Let’s dare to be ourselves, for we which we are best at it.” Mr. Lee then said, try to think of this as expressing yourself and being able to make the audience understand you. Reading the instruction that was given, it said, “Facing Reality.” This was something that I have always want to do and being able to challenge myself as an artist. What came to my mind first was who I am. Simple enough to say, that I am Hmong American. I then created a full figured person. Not only just a person, but a person with two culture. The right side was made for strength and honor which represents Hmong. Continue next page…

3. The left side represented that I am an American and I live with respect with dignity and justice. Thus I couldn’t figured if I wanted to have my face drawn into this character, I thought about how we all humans are alike. Not entirely identical, but we all share the same bond as to one another. You, as a critique will decide whose face will be in this image. For the background, I always had the idea of me, being in a stage. Not only for performance as to concerts, but as a person against the world. Everyone is able to see who you are in the stage and is watching every step you make. Than again, you can’t just start making a move independently, you are am guided. As those strings are attached to you, your puppeteer helps you move step by step. This generalized the idea of making this character into a puppet and gives them a sort of freedom. The character then sits on top of a clock. The clock tells us that we live our natural life through time, as a famous quote states, “Only time will tell.” Being a person who understands what value life has and how much time we have, I had to place this time in the image. This person sits on the clock because they understand that everyday, our life becomes shorter and we have to value what is naturally given to us.

4. Symbols Rope Strings Stage Curtains American Clothing Traditional Hmong Clothing Face Expression Clock

5. Artist Last Words… As being in school for 12 years now, I have come to understand the meaning of “self.” I know that there is more out there and for which I am ready to take on the world. To this artwork, I just wanted to say that this is one of my finest and most appreciated artwork. I enjoyed the challenge of this contest and pushing my imagination as to more than it seem. Mr. Lee told me what else could I add to this, how can I change a little of it, and what more could I do to made the audience see what I am trying to portray. Just by making a small change, can change this image entirely. I wanted to draw this person with two sides because I, myself is Hmong and American. This person who is me, is brought up to have two sides and is who I am today. The success that I am is what these two sides are. Even though I did not win any of the places, I am still satisfy that my work received Honorable mention. A former student from Patrick Henry, Youa Moua, received 3rd place in this contest. I want congratulate her on her fine artwork also.

6. Links to my favorite sites www.Factfinding.org www.hmongtimes.com ww2.saturn.stpaul.k12.mn.us/Hmong/sathmong.html www.Hmongnet.org www.Hmonghealth.com www.Hmongabc.com