The Art of Vietnam’s Ethnic Minorities: Portrait of the Chams

Abstract

In this article, Rie Nakamura examines how ethnic minority artists respond to a market-driven national integration, and how they represent themselves and their ethnic identity. While Vietnamese modern art and artists have become popular research subjects, most of the studies on them concentrate on the artistic activities in the North, with little mention about art produced by ethnic minority peoples. Dr. Nakamura explores the possibility of art as a medium for ethnic minorities to voice their feelings and thoughts in a rapidly changing Vietnam; and analyses the artwork of a number of artists working with Cham and Champa themes.