Mai Ta (Vietnamese, b. 1997) seeks to find truth in her feelings and honor them through her paintings. To her, art is a place where she can safely express herself without guilt. To her, artistic expression is a form of freedom. Mai Ta works primarily in gouache. Her subject matter centers around her experience as a Vietnamese woman, often paired with questions about her place in the Western hemisphere. Her love for the intricacies of her culture always shadows her works, giving the viewers an opportunity to see Vietnam for the country that it is. Not what it's been decided to be seen as.