Ask Why
- Title
- Ask Why
- Creator
- ArtCrop (Christina Vang, Ka Oskar Ly, and Teeko Yang) ArtCrop is an innovative group that was originally founded with the goal of combining Hmong-inspired artwork with fresh produce from local Hmong farmers. ArtCrop Collective aims to connect consumers with the traditions and stories of the Hmong community while fostering a deeper appreciation for both art and agriculture. From downtown to rural areas, ArtCrop hopes to inspire the next generations stories of culture and identity. Together, Christina Vang, Ka Oskar Ly, and Teeko Yang make up the group Ua Si Creative. Based in St. Paul, Ua Si Creative is a women & LGBTQ+ owned company aimed at producing fun and inclusive arts and cultural experiences. Christina Vang (she/her) is a Hmong-American graphic designer, illustrator and muralist with most of her work based in Minneapolis, MN. In 2016, she founded labang studio which offers graphic design, illustration, and creative direction. Currently, she works as an independent and collaborative artist with a majority of her work focusing on amplifying cultural and community narratives as well as social justice. Within her works, she aims to capture the vibrancy, curiosity, and energy of her cultural community. Ka Oskar Ly (they/she) is a queer Hmong French American artist and cultural producer who aims to explore the tensions of culture, place and identity through means of social practice, fiber arts, soft sculpture and installations. As an immigrant and having grown up in France (parents fled Laos), much of Ka’s work focuses on challenging expectations and redefining the familiar. Teeko Yang is a first generation Hmong American artist, photographer and UX designer. She received her Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Fine Art and Photography from the University of Oklahoma. Yang co-founded Ua Si Creative and served as the lead designer. She also owns a a small jewelry shop, Teeko + Co, which was founded in Minneapolis and launched in 2020.
- Date
- Date of Creation: August 2019
Date of Documentation: October 25, 2024 - Description
- The main focal point of this mural is the phrase “ASK WHY.” Scale wise, it takes up a majority of the wall and is positioned directly in the center. Integrated throughout the mural and surrounding the text are elements of nature, Hmong culture, gender identity and various other icons. For example, there are larger more visible images of flowers, leaves, and plants as well as smaller details such as rain drops, flames, gender pictograms and Xs that border the phrase. Overall, the mural is not perfectly symmetrical, but it feels balanced both space and design wise. The only uses of color in the mural are in the words “ASK WHY” and the solid yellow shadowing that starts at the top of the letters and ends on the ground. The words themselves are white with a hint of blue (slim line of each letter) and then outlined in pink which are colors often associated with the transgender flag while the rest of the mural is black and white. The use of color forces the eye to gravitate towards the overall purpose of asking why. The rest of the mural being black and white in a way serves as an afterthought, nonetheless equally as important. The smaller and less apparent details cause the observer to further analyze and find hidden meanings and themes. The letters are designed using straight lines, making the message very straight forward and easily legible. The curvature in the images breaks up the straight lines to provide a nice visual and contrast to the linear lines. The foreground is yellow for a majority of the mural with the sides depicting nature (flowers and plants). The middle ground includes the large phrase “ASK WHY” to grab the viewers' attention. Two eyeballs are also included within the middle ground and the background is full of smaller images/icons such as flowers, raindrops/flames, and gender pictograms. The background creates the illusion of outer space with little symbols floating around.
- Subject
- The purpose of such a simple yet powerful phrase “Ask Why” is to urge reflection, understanding and curiosity within the observer. It is especially important that the phrase is expansive enough so that any individual can resonate with it. Through various images and pictograms, the mural raises awareness and questions about several current events and pressing issues such as gender fluidity, amazon forest fires, the southern border crisis, gun violence and liberation. Scattered around the mural are symbols of flowers as well as gender and climate icons. More specifically, the mural pays homage to victims of gun violence with each flower representing the location of where the events occurred. Additionally, elements of Hmong culture also appear throughout the mural, specifically represented through the “X” symbols which reference the cross-stitch found in Hmong paj ntaub. Even as time goes by and the power of “Ask Why” continues to shift and resonate with people in different ways, ultimately the artists hope that this mural helps individuals leave with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.
- Rights
- Artists: Christina Vang, Ka Oskar Ly and Teeko Yang
Researcher: Sophie Tabor - Source
- “About.” Ka Oskar Ly, www.kaonwards.com/aboutka. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024. “Artcrop.” Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival, www.chromazone.net/artcrop. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024. Clark, Sarah. “Going to the Wall: Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival Transforms Cez.” Park Bugle, 24 Oct. 2019, www.parkbugle.org/going-to-the-wall-chroma-zone-mural-art-festival-transforms-cez/.
Files
Collection
Citation
ArtCrop (Christina Vang, Ka Oskar Ly, and Teeko Yang) ArtCrop is an innovative group that was originally founded with the goal of combining Hmong-inspired artwork with fresh produce from local Hmong farmers. ArtCrop Collective aims to connect consumers with the traditions and stories of the Hmong community while fostering a deeper appreciation for both art and agriculture. From downtown to rural areas, ArtCrop hopes to inspire the next generations stories of culture and identity. Together, Christina Vang, Ka Oskar Ly, and Teeko Yang make up the group Ua Si Creative. Based in St. Paul, Ua Si Creative is a women & LGBTQ+ owned company aimed at producing fun and inclusive arts and cultural experiences. Christina Vang (she/her) is a Hmong-American graphic designer, illustrator and muralist with most of her work based in Minneapolis, MN. In 2016, she founded labang studio which offers graphic design, illustration, and creative direction. Currently, she works as an independent and collaborative artist with a majority of her work focusing on amplifying cultural and community narratives as well as social justice. Within her works, she aims to capture the vibrancy, curiosity, and energy of her cultural community. Ka Oskar Ly (they/she) is a queer Hmong French American artist and cultural producer who aims to explore the tensions of culture, place and identity through means of social practice, fiber arts, soft sculpture and installations. As an immigrant and having grown up in France (parents fled Laos), much of Ka’s work focuses on challenging expectations and redefining the familiar. Teeko Yang is a first generation Hmong American artist, photographer and UX designer. She received her Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Fine Art and Photography from the University of Oklahoma. Yang co-founded Ua Si Creative and served as the lead designer. She also owns a a small jewelry shop, Teeko + Co, which was founded in Minneapolis and launched in 2020., “Ask Why,” accessed January 14, 2025, https://mspmurals.omeka.net/items/show/41.