A contemporary reinterpretation of the Trang Nguyen (First Doctoral Laureate) from Vietnamese Dong Ho folk painting.

In traditional folk prints, the Trang Nguyen is depicted returning to his village in glorious celebration, welcomed by all.

My painting depicts the moment after. He is alone. On horseback, passing through a dark forest toward a narrow slit of golden light. The festive crowd is gone. What remains is the immense, invisible pressure on his shoulders, the pressure from his village's expectations, from the position he has just received.

No one sees that pressure of a man. He alone must face it in silence.