Rocco Ho (Ho Quoc Anh) is holding an exhibition from 19/12/2025 to 4/1 at the Nguyen Wahed exhibition house in New York. This marks his first solo exhibition, a significant milestone in his creative journey. The artist stated that the works on display are not only visual expressions but also a way for him to engage in a dialogue with himself, asking: "Who am I?", "Where do I belong?", and "What is Vietnam's place in the identity of a young person living far from home?".

"I tell stories of homesickness using light, frames, and truly Vietnamese moments", Rocco Ho said.

Tac pham "Cau duyen" duoc trung bay trong trien lam cua Rocco Ho. Anh: NVCC

Rocco Ho's photographs avoid familiar natural landscapes or iconic symbols, instead narrating Vietnam's story through small, everyday slices of life. These include Tet (Lunar New Year) reunion meals, sandals neatly placed on a porch, the quiet gaze of an elderly person in the late afternoon, or wisps of smoke lingering during traditional rituals. The images also capture the glow of year-end fires, the slow drip of morning Vietnamese filter coffee, and solemn figures in worship spaces. These works present a Vietnam that feels authentic, intimate, and emotionally resonant, mirroring the artist's own memories.

Khoanh khac doi thuong trong khong gian gia dinh Viet la de tai duoc Rocco Ho lua chon. Anh: NVCC

According to the artist, these simple images, when exhibited in New York, create a fusion between two worlds: the modern Western metropolis and Vietnam with its distinct East Asian culture.

Rocco Ho uses large and medium format film cameras for his work. For him, the photography process mirrors the journey of rediscovering memories: unhurried, quiet, reflective, and contemplative.

Hinh anh nhiep anh gia Rocco Ho trong khong gian trien lam tai New York. Anh: NVCC

Each of Rocco Ho's frames also conveys his emotions during his visits to Vietnam, his conversations with family, and his feelings of nostalgia. By selecting familiar subjects, the exhibition's works resonate with Vietnamese people living abroad.

"I want the exhibition to be a space for dialogue, where personal memories meet collective ones, where each viewer can find a part of their own story. This could be homesickness, the feeling of being caught between two cultures, or simply a quiet pride in one's roots", Rocco Ho stated.

Hinh anh doi thuong nhung goi mo ky uc chung cua nhieu the he nguoi Viet. Anh: NVCC

For international audiences, this offers an opportunity to experience Vietnam from an intimate, everyday perspective, differing from common stereotypical images. For Vietnamese people, especially the younger generation, the exhibition inspires new ways of preserving and expressing identity in the modern world.

Rocco Ho, born in 2003 in Ha Noi, currently lives and works in New York. He studied at Parsons School of Design (US) and has collaborated with several world-renowned photographers. His works have been exhibited at photographer Nick Knight's SHOWstudio and at Lubov Gallery in New York.

Yen Chi