Artist based in Brooklyn, NY
Anh Nguyen, portrait of the photographer
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I've been in the U.S. for almost a decade but I still call Saigon my home.
Before I was born, my family never owned a camera. This meant that the only images I have to recall of my family's history came from documentation of "momentous" occasions. My mom told me that from as early as she could remember, I had asked for a camera every year on my birthday.
I like to think I became a photographer out of pure childlike curiosity and a desire to make people feel special.
"Offering Table" from "The Kitchen God Series", 2024, Digital Photography
"It led me to what other traditions and aspects of my culture I've always questioned but have mostly left unexplored. That's how I became fixated on the idea of the "kitchen gods" and the question of what they would see if they could observe us in our most private space."
"Gathering" from "The Kitchen God Series", 2024, Digital Photography
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
The project I'm working on was initially an inquiry into how and why we perform rituals around food. It led me to wonder what other traditions and aspects of my culture I've always questioned but have mostly left unexplored. That's how I became fixated on the idea of the "kitchen gods" and the question of what they would see if they could observe us in our most private space.
"Three Red Carps" from "The Kitchen God Series", 2024, Digital Photography
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
I find a lot of crossovers between my photographic and cooking processes, so when I feel uninspired, I put aside my work and head to the kitchen!
Growing up, I was taught that food was about experience and not precision – because we never measure when we cook, a dish tastes different every time you make it. I feel this way about my photography. Even though my work is often staged and directed, there's a magical feeling I get when I take an image that feels just "right" – and it's a feeling I can't reproduce.
"Bau Cua" from "The Kitchen God Series", 2024, Digital Photography
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
"To use an image is to enter fiction" (Trinh T. Minh Ha). The world is a playground and while I have a desire to document it, I acknowledge that photography to me is a form of play. I love to create fictional spaces inspired by real stories.
"Sua Ong Tho" from "The Kitchen God Series", 2024, Digital Photography
"Babies" from "The Kitchen God Series", 2024, Digital Photography
Who are your biggest influences?
My mother!
"Page 14-15" from "Mom's Budget Book", 2023, Scans with 35mm analog photography
My mom's main mode of transportation before I was born, and up until my childhood, was her trusted SH motorbike. Motorbikes have come be a known symbol of Vietnamese culture. In contrast, I take my commute on the subway – a symbol of New York City –carrying my camera equipments.
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Recently, I haven't stopped thinking about the movie Tampopo by Juzo Itami. It's perfectly random and every scene is like being fed a spoonful of something you've never experienced before.
"Page 22-23" from "Mom's Budget Book", 2023, Scans with 35mm analog photography
The third aspect of the series includes images of my mom with my brother or me cut out – imagining an abstract reality where we never existed and spotlighintg her life.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
"Kill your darlings."
(It's something I'm still learning to do, as well.)
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
While photography is a process of exploration and photographs alone can't provide answers, don't be afraid to form an opinion. Your art can only benefit from having a clear voice.
Self portrait
Stay up to date with Anh Nguyen
Instagram @minhanhnguyenn
Website nguyenminhanh.com