Minh Tran spent years working in

accounting before pursuing her passion in art. Tran, a senior art

studio major with an emphasis in ceramics, said she was unsure of

what to do after graduating high school.

Originally, she followed the

expectations of her parents and worked in finance and real estate.

However, art was her true desire.

“I never had any purpose of what I

wanted to do,” Tran said. “Society tells you to follow what is

expected, but art is unexpected and it is what I want for

myself.”

Much of Tran’s work deals with

controversial issues for her audience to consider. In the past, she

focused on issues of gay marriage and abortion.

“I want people to look at the way I

feel and make a decision since the issue affects all of us,” Tran

said.

Now, Tran’s “Less Than Zero” exhibit

has been displayed since Monday. Tran’s exhibit comes to terms with

the value of life and questions if death is a bad thing.

The exhibit “deals with what occurs

in our life and what we put out,” Tran said. She said she believes

even when negative incidents occur, something good comes along.

Recently, Tran said she has had

overwhelming family life experiences. Tran’s brother was diagnosed

with a clogged artery after having three strokes in the last three

months. Following that, Tran’s mother had an appendix burst.

“I did not want to feel anymore

since I was losing everything close to me,” she said.

Tran doubted pursuing art, but

realized she had to do her “best to be there for (her family).”

Tran said she pulled inspiration

from her life events and inner emotions.

“I had very intense emotions that I

never knew how to put out there,” Tran said. “I am not a very

verbal person, but with art it is accepting to feel.”

The idea of Tran’s “Less Than Zero”

exhibit originated from her senior seminar class. The class was

required to create a cohesive amount of work based on an idea. Tran

focused on the theme of value.

“You cannot put a number value on

life,” Tran said. “Something gone has worth of value.”

Tran uses conceptual art in her

exhibits to have her audience feel as if they are there. In

particular, her recent work features feminine-shaped wax figures

appearing to melt into pots. She used plaster mold and sand

material.

“When the figures melt, they will

disappear and will create something new in itself,” she said. “It

is a cycle.”

The “cycle” in Tran’s recent work

refers to her value of life theme.

“What you create out of yourself in

the time you are alive, there is life in it and a continuation,”

she said.

Much of Tran’s past exhibits

included controversial works suited for a mature audience. Tran

prefers her work publicly displayed at the university level.

“I had an exhibit with penises and

condoms and a teenage girl was grossed out while another person

thought my work was beautiful,” she said. “I really like the

university atmosphere. This is where we should be learning about

these issues. ”

“Less Than Zero” is Tran’s third

on-campus exhibit. She said she now feels more experienced and has

learned from her past works.

“I have learned more to focus and

conceptualize,” Tran said. “Now, I have one idea and I just go with

it.”

At times, Tran said she feels

society is not accepting for people to publicly express themselves.

Tran utilizes her art to showcase her inner feeling out to her

audience.

“If you know how to push your energy

of emotions, it works well,” Tran said.  

Jordan Riturban can be reached

at [email protected]