The Art of Travel: Denise Duong
We all have vivid memories of our childhood. Happy moments that we spent with our families and loved ones without realizing that these moments would remain imprinted in our memory, perhaps for the rest of our lives. For a few of us, such moments are the first memories of developing a skill which would be our profession. Such is the case of Denise Duong, an artist of Vietnamese origin who resides in Oklahoma City.
"I vividly remember when we lived in the south side of Oklahoma City, and I was sitting on our green carpet, drawing on book pages. I remember many moments playing with my siblings and cousins, but I also remember moments when I was drawing alone."
As children, few of us know what profession we will have as adults, and as adults, many of us wonder if we have the passion or talent to perform our jobs. Artists seem to have been born with an innate certainty in their professional calling.
That is why Denise’s work, like that of many artists, is full of personal experiences, anecdotes to remember, unique moments, and feelings. "Art to me is an emotion. That is why I work in so many mediums. I work on collages, inks, paints, murals, and other art mediums. For instance, when COVID started, I found myself using more inks…for me, it was a form of symbolizing chaos and the unknown.”
As an artist, Denise seeks those emotions that serve as inspiration for her work, collecting them mostly by traveling the world. The artist has had the opportunity to visit magical places and meet extraordinary people, thanks to her incredible skill.
Denise has a spirit for adventure and an appreciation for other cultures that enriches not just her, but also her work. She described her 10-day horseback riding trip in Mongolia to the Chinese border as one of her most memorable, mainly because it was the first time she had ridden a horse. She describes Africa as being one of the most interesting places, specifically Malawi, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana, where she had the opportunity to work in an art program with children. Additionally, she’s had an art show in Korea, and also says that she’d like to revisit New Zealand because of its natural beauty and hiking. “When you go on a hike in New Zealand and pause to take a look around, everything you see is magical.”
"There is something consistent across borders; we all share the same sun and the desire to be happy. For me, traveling has been a great source of inspiration, and I find a lot of power, particularly in traveling alone and getting those moments of silence where I only listen to nature. Some moments and experiences stay with me without knowing it, and after a while, I manage to relive the moment, reflecting and transforming it into art. Traveling is a tremendously enriching experience, both on a personal and professional level. I have been very fortunate that my profession has taken me to wonderful places.”
One of Denise’s biggest inspirations is her mother, an immigrant from Vietnam. The artist refers to her mother as a warrior and describes her as a strong and fearless woman. “I hope that some of my good characteristics come from her. She is very fun to travel with, she never says no to me or my sister’s crazy ideas, and always has a smile on her face.”
As for her professional accomplishments, Denise takes particular pride in the murals she created at Classen and Sheridan. "I had never had the opportunity to work on a scale of that magnitude, and they told me several times that I would not be able to do it alone ... but it worked! I cried when I finished." In the future, Denise hopes to create more sculptures for public art, alongside Gabe, her partner, who is also an artist with admirable talent. "I would like the opportunity to contribute more to the beautification of the city through art.”
For more information about Denise and her art, visit https://www.deniseduongart.com/