indelible traces reveals histories overlooked or intentionally ignored
Tiffany Chung’s indelible traces at the Weisman Art Museum WAM) is an immersive exploration of displacement, migration, climate change, resource extraction, war, and the ways human stories become embedded or forgotten in maps and landscapes. Chung, a Vietnamese American artist, uses meticulously drawn maps, diagrams, and archival research to trace the movements of people forced from their homes by war, political upheaval, and environmental disaster. Her work transforms maps from neutral tools of geography into deeply personal records of loss, survival, memory, and resilience. Her exquisite embroidery also tells the stories of the people and cultures that get left behind in traditional archives.
Is Chung a historian, artist or fine craftsperson, or all three? You’ll probably decide she qualifies in all categories. Her works ask viewers to look beyond borders and statistics and consider the individual lives behind mass migrations. indelible traces is worth a visit for anyone interested in history, immigration, geography, or contemporary art – and particularly for visitors willing to slow down and discover the human stories hidden within the lines and patterns of the maps.
Opening day is September 19 and the exhibit will run through December 6. Chung will give an artist talk on October 28. The museum is free to visit – this exhibit is worth adding to your fall schedule!
