Karen Thảo La (she/her/hers) is a Vietnamese-Canadian artist, designer, and cultural producer living and working on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.
Her practice intuitively moves with unbound output, taking non-specified forms—sharing connectivity. While an artist-in-residence at A.Farm (HCMC), she explored her cultural lineage through social and labour-based practices. In addition, La has diverse experience working with teams worldwide to actualize visions from product creation to interdisciplinary performances; she receives immense joy from facilitating and highlighting independent makers and artists. For example, at Que by Kaarem (HCMC), La built and fostered an environment for conversation through craft, design, and food in Vietnam and beyond. Locally, she works to bring free artistic experiences and skill-building workshops to the underserved neighbourhoods she grew up in through her work producing community art festivals.
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