Lien Truong

Lien Truong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, her practice examines cultural ideologies, material heritage, and transcultural belief systems through hybrid painting techniques blending military, textile, and art histories. She holds an MFA from Mills College (2001) and BFA from Humboldt State University (1999).

Her research explores:

• The intersection of aesthetics and doctrine in post-colonial contexts
• Reinterpretations of Asian female archetypes through diasporic perspectives
• Critical engagements with Orientalism and cultural appropriation
• Innovative material syntheses of oil painting, silk, and textile traditions

Recent artworks (2018-2022) demonstrate consistent focus on war memory, generational trauma, and cultural resilience. Works frequently employ symbolic landscapes, mythological references, and subverted textile patterns to critique imperialism. The dominant media evolution shows increased incorporation of gold leaf, silk overlays, and multi-panel formats to explore transcultural identity.

Major Awards:

• Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant (2019)
• North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship (2016)
• Institute of Arts and Humanities Fellowship (2017)
• Artist residencies at Marble House Project and Oakland Museum

She maintains an active exhibition profile with solo shows at Galerie Quynh (Vietnam), UTA Artist Space, and participation in major group exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery, Nasher Museum, and Cameron Art Museum. Her work is held in permanent collections including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and North Carolina Museum of Art.