Thanh My Diep
b. 1977; Vietnam ∙ CE artist from 1998 -
Thanh Diep has cerebral palsy, and speaks with an augmentative and alternative communication device. With the assistance of this device, she has written a book, Thanh, and created soundtracks for three animated films.
Diep was the first graduate of The Bridge School in Hillsborough, and is the first Bridge School alumna to graduate from college. Diep received her BA in 2005 from San Francisco State University where she majored in Liberal Studies.
Diep addresses sensitive issues such as sexuality and prejudice as it relates to her disability. She works with both traditional media (e.g. pencils, charcoal, markers, and acrylic paints) and film and animation. Media works include a film based on her poem “Shining Into,” and two short films, “Nature of Pleasure” and “Thanh”. Her films and artwork have been featured at MadCat Women’s International Film Festival, Artists Television Access, The Mission Cultural Center, Noh Space/Theater of Yugen, Brava Theater as well as at the Picture This Festival in Calgary, BC. In 2011, CB2 used Diep's work as the basis for a pillow design.
Select Exhibitions & Projects
2014
Art for the View, Sunnyview Hospital Foundation, Schenectady, NY
2013
SIDESHOW, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Space, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2012
Fabricators, Jack Fischer Gallery, San Francisco, CA
I have never really taken the time to look, Accident and Artifact, San Francisco, CA
(Pre)Fabricators, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
ArtPadSF, Phoenix Hotel, San Francisco, CA
2011
Structure, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2010
Ritual/Habitual, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Spectrum, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Tiger Leaping Gold Mountain, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2009
"Science" Fiction, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Inscriptions, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2008
INsects INsectos, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Fibrocosm, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
The Untitled, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2007
Super Heroes Super Villains, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Shadowshine, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2006
Nature Rules, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
And Then... , Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Vessels, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Notables, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Drawing the Line, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2005
Revenge of Monster, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2004
Functionable, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA