Grandmother's Eggplant

The water color painting depicts Kien Nguyen's grandmother losing control of her bowels next to a jack-fruit tree. Her foot resembles a rotting eggplant because of the swelling and decay of her infection. The color use reflects her body's decay and the decay of the communist state. The fruit and vegetables represent the ironic state of the government. Instead of building the nation's postwar solidarity, the government promotes discrimination and hate. The consequences displace many Amerasian children and supporters of democratic values. The hammer of justice lies sideways because the corrupt state's bias clearly shows when Nguyen's family continues to struggle because of their past lifestyle. The grandmother's pain and endurance reflects the fighting spirit of the Nguyen family and their will to survive in the corrupt postwar Vietnamese government.

By Ivan R.

The Destruction of Home

The drawing above is a representation of Kien with the image of his former house and new home in the background encompassing his head.  Kien's former home is drawn in ruin which is meant to represent the destruction of not only his home, but former life in Vietnam before the communist party took over.  His family has lost almost everything due to the war, not only physical possessions, but also the stability of Kien's family as a unit and his innocence once he lost the security of their manor.  Their home was comprised of large walls and gates that provided the family with luxury and security from the cruelty that lived outside.  With both Kien and his brother having white heritage, their manor protected them from the outside world and when that was gone their differences were exposed and ignited cruelty from those that could not accept their differences.  The destruction their home can also signify the destruction of Kien's childhood and his mother, who was not only the provider, but he and his brother's chief protector.  Once she began to crumble under the pressure of the of their new reality, it was apparent that she was just as fragile and could only withstand so much just as their former home.

By Jessica C.