Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library, May 2 - September 10, 2023
Pepperdine Libraries is honored to present an exhibition featuring L.A.-based artist Phung Huynh. Inspired by her experience as a refugee of Cambodian and Chinese descent from Vietnam, Huynh makes serigraphs of and on donut boxes—their hallmark pink packaging having near legendary roots in the Cambodian American (Khmerican) donut ecosystem.
Each of her prints is meant to be a sensitive portrayal of a unique personal story, exploring such themes as immigration and assimilation, warfare and genocide, and commitment to the family unit. The body of work is also a celebration of the “Donut Kids,” first- and second-generation Khmericans who grew up in their family’s donut shop. These establishments represent a cultural space where refugees and immigrants reshape their lives in the process of negotiating, assimilating, and becoming American.
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huyng: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023
Installation view of Phung Huynh: Donut (W)hole, Pepperdine University: The Payson Library on view from May 2 - September 10, 2023