kieu tran
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: BLOOM
Kieu Tran is a first generation Vietnamese American artist based in Oakland, California. She creates elegant, sensuous, biomorphic ceramic sculptures that exist somewhere between the abstract and figurative. Kieu strives to give expression to emotion, to allow the aesthetic of the form to tell you something about the inspiration behind the piece on a wordless, instinctual level. She considers her sculptures to be an effort to give form to the human soul and to remind us of our shared humanity.
Kieu obtained a bachelor’s degree in art history from UCLA in 2012 and has also studied art history while living in Italy and Germany, but was not making any art herself. Intrigued by Silicon Valley, she learned to code in 2014 and quickly became a software engineer within the year. She also developed a serious ceramic art practice around the same time alongside her tech career and eventually realized that she was always meant to be an artist. Kieu doesn’t have formal art training, but a lack of formal training didn’t stop her from breaking into tech either. No stranger to challenges and drastically changing her life, she officially quit tech in January of 2021 to pursue her passion of becoming a full time artist. Despite having only gone full-time at the beginning of 2021, her ceramic sculptures have since been received with excitement and she has cultivated a growing following of enthusiastic collectors.
by Kieu Tran
Mineral Paint on Shaped Panel
31’’w x 24’’h x .75’’d
Edition of 15
Inspired by the emotional support that Kieu has at home to encourage her to follow her dreams.
*Please inquire for shipping cost; 4-6 weeks lead time
by Kieu Tran
Mineral Paint on Shaped Panel
28’’w x 31’’h x .75’’d
Edition of 15
Letting Go is inspired by the ease and beauty of existing in the present and letting go of things that hold you back. It's a reminder to let go of things that no longer serve you. Embrace your new dreams, embrace change and growth.
*Please inquire for shipping cost; 4-6 weeks lead time
by Kieu Tran
Mineral Paint on Shaped Panel
77’’w x 117’’h x .75’’d
We Contain Multitudes is a freestanding wood sculpture that can be used as a room divider. The three abstracted women represents all of the women in Kieu’s life, her friends, and honors all of the women she has been and will be. We contain multitudes.
*Please inquire for shipping cost
by Kieu Tran
Mineral Paint on Layered Panel
47’’w x 35’’h x 2.25’’d
Becoming has hero(ine)'s journey vibes. This wood relief/assemblage attempts to capture the whimsy, anticipation and wonder of a legendary journey through life.
by Kieu Tran
Mineral Paint on Layered Panel
47’’w x 35’’h x 2.25’’d
Edge of Creation is inspired by the feeling of standing at the precipice of a new future.
by Kieu Tran
Modular Shaped Wooden Forms
44’’w x 67’’h x .5’’d
Individual pieces sized at 18’’w x 19’’h.
Blooming is a 10 piece interlocking, modular wood sculpture based off of the shape of Kieu’s ceramic sculpture Bloom. They're both inspired by human growth and transformation. This modular wood sculpture can adapt to your space by rearranging its size and shape. Because it is modular and allows you to reinterpret its utility and form, it's a metaphor for how we're all constantly in bloom, even when we don't think we are.
by Kieu Tran
Stoneware, glaze
11’’w x 16’’h x 5.5’’d
In Transition captures the discomfort of growth, the feeling of being in-between seasons of your life. This piece acknowledges that change can be hard and unsettling, but it's a gentle reminder that growth is never comfortable.
by Kieu Tran
Stoneware, glaze
15.5’’w x 17.5’’h x 10.5’’d
Searching attempts to capture the complex and conflicting emotions of stagnancy, fear and optimism before one decides to make a life altering change. Kieu was channeling how she felt before she quit her tech job. The genderless being staring into the void in its hands also alludes to society's screen culture.
by Kieu Tran
Stoneware, glaze
13’’w x 17’’h x 7’’d
In a world where people of color are still fighting for uninhibited freedom, where women face constant criticism, Kieu is inspired by women who have pride and unabashed admiration for themselves. This sculpture captures the spirit of women, especially women of color, who are confident in their hard work, worth and potential. We should all aspire to be "that girl."
by Kieu Tran
Mineral Paint on Shaped Panel
28’’W X 28’’H X .75’’D
Edition of 15
Coming in Hot captures the intensity and laser focus of Kieu’s own journey into becoming a full time artist. It's about the passion, dedication and hard work you must put into achieving anything you want in life.
*Please inquire for shipping cost; 4-6 weeks lead time