Karen Thảo La (she/her), Vietnamese-Canadian, b. 1988, lives and works between the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations and Ho Chi Minh City.
La is an artist, designer, and cultural producer—through an embodied, labour-based practice—she intuitively moves with unbound output, taking non-specified forms.
La receives immense joy from connecting with others, facilitating, and highlighting independent makers and artists. As an artist, she was an artist-in-residence at A.Farm (HCMC), where she explored her cultural lineage in relation to others. In addition, she has diverse experience working with teams worldwide to actualize visions from product creation to interdisciplinary performances. For example, through her work as Managing Director at Que by Kaarem (HCMC), in partnership with the founders (NYC), La built and fostered an environment to create connection and conversation through craft, design, and food in Vietnam and beyond. Recently, as Production Manager of local community art festivals (Moon Festival, Winter Solstice Lantern Festival), she has worked with over 250+ artists and 250+ volunteers to bring free artistic experiences and workshops to the underserved neighbourhoods she grew up in.
La holds a BFA in Visual Art & Art History from the University of British Columbia, further studied/practiced Jewelry Art & Design, and is perpetually un/learning.
e: karenthaonguyenla@gmail.com | @la_k_la_k