Antonius-Tín Bui
(Vietnamese-American, b. 1992)
Chời ơi, 2018
Hand-cut paper, acrylic paint
97 x 48 inches
Courtesy of the Artist
Ancestors couldn't even dream of them, 2018
Hand-cut paper, acrylic paint
98 x 50 inches
Courtesy of the Artist
Antonius-Tín Bui complicates Vietnamese history and queerness through diverse media, including performance, textiles, cut paper, installation, and photography. Their large-scale, meticulous, hand-cut paper pieces with acrylic paint, such as those included in True Likeness, recognize and celebrate Queer Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Using individuals within Bui’s circle of friends, the works highlight the importance of found family and friendship for those who may often feel marginalized by society.
Bui’s title Ancestors couldn’t even dream of them alludes to changes in representation and understanding of the AAPI community over generations, moving from discrimination and criminalization toward empowerment and acceptance.
Biography
Bui identifies as a queer, gender-nonbinary, Vietnamese American artist. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, they earned a BFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Since graduating in 2016, Bui has received fellowships from the Vermont Studio Center, Kala Art Institute, Tulsa Artists Fellowship, and Halcyon Arts Lab. These opportunities have allowed Bui to greatly expand their practice beyond hand-cut paper techniques.