This series of oil paintings was inspired by Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. It’s my way of highlighting the beauty of Vietnamese women and celebrating womanhood across generations—especially those who lived through war and immigration. For me, the paintings are an answer to the question of what makes life worth living, using color and texture to capture both the struggles and the joy that shape us. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, I found a deep connection with Ocean Vuong. His book became especially meaningful to me after my grandmother passed away. As I read his words to his mother, who had also passed, I saw myself reflected in his grief. That shared experience moved me and inspired me to create art that could offer the same kind of connection for others going through similar pain. To me, the most powerful part of art is its ability to carry an intangible value—to bridge people through memory, loss, and healing.