Lor exhibit opens window for visitors to see, understand a different culture

The Paine Art Museum has stitched together a new attraction of cultural embroidery, ranging in multiple shapes and sizes, to create the newest exhibit - ‘Mao Lor: A Journey Through Hmoob Paj Ntaub.’ The work of artist Mao Lor represents the culture and history of Hmoob through embroidered, hand-sewn artworks called Paj Ntau or Hmong textiles. Lor has been practicing this type of art for 40 years.

This exhibit will run until May 26, but they opened early for Global Students and some of the community on February 9, including a panel discussion.

“The panel discussion was just a Q&A for the facilitators and for the artist herself, but it was a very nice way to get acquainted with the exhibition and how they did everything, '” an anonymous visitor said.

This panel discussion included Lor and the facilitators that support this exhibition, those people being UWO professor Dr. Dua Xiong Chong, Historian Ntxoo Moua, and two artists, Ger Xiong and Soua Vang.

The panel discussion examined how Mao’s art pieces represent the Hmong culture.

“My story is also a story for Hmong future, meaning children, my children, and future generations,” Xiong, co-curator of the exhibition, said.

These Hmong textiles are used to tell stories and ask questions of the past, present, and future, but also to show the culture of Hmoob and art and how it’s represented. This artwork includes different types of designs ranging from humans and animals, to rivers and lakes and geography in general, all to tell a story. An important aspect to the story behind this exhibit is Hmoob culture. Hmoob is a word that describes Hmong people or language. Hmong people have been relocated in Asia throughout history; one of those places, Laos, is where Lor is from. Some of her artwork depicts agricultural items like baskets, trees, horses and tools.

Traditionally, Hmong people used to use these resources in order to farm and generate income. Within Hmong culture a tool that was used very often was a taum txhob hmoob, a shovel-like tool used to dig holes for gardening and farming. Another is called txua loj, a curved blade used for harvesting crops. These items are shown through some of the pieces on exhibit at the Paine.

However, Laos started to become unsafe and peace decayed as wars broke out. Lor started to learn this skill of making textiles during those times within war, influencing the meaning behind the artworks. In 1975 Lor was forced to flee her own home during the Secret War in Laos and the Vietnam War, and ever since then, she has been learning how to create Hmong textiles. Even when she was in a refugee camp where she continued to refine her skill through many hardships. However, in 1984, Lor had immigrated to Green Bay, where her art has reached many people and has even been sold at fairs all around the state and the Midwest, including the Paine.

However, the Paine would end up waiting until they found an artist that could speak about the art that was made, setting the exhibit’s schedule back. This was for good reason however, to increase the number of community members able to fully experience the exhibit.

“We like to time exhibitions like this with our Rooms of Bloom because of the number of people that come for that no matter no matter what’s in the exhibition,” Kelsey Raschke, education director of the Paine, said.

The Paine pairs cultural exhibitions with more popular ones in order for the people who are interested in going, but don’t take the time to actually go and look at the cultural exhibits, and then the community will get to see both at the same time.

“It tends to force people to see that artwork; it’s a way we can guarantee that it’s going to get the exposure that this kind of artwork deserves,” Raschke said.

The Paine decided to do this exhibit because it would be a great way to show off Hmong culture and art pieces. Lor has an extensive history with the Paine, as this exhibit has been a long time project finally being able to be shown to the public.

“Lor has actually been selling all of these at the Paine’s festivals and she’s been doing them for over 20 years,” Nolle, Paine marketing manager, said. “Our Executive Director even has one, and I think that’s where it kinda started.”

This event is a way that the community can open up new wonders and experiences through learning about a culture that isn’t American. The Mao Lor: A Journey Through Hmoob Paj Ntaub presents viewers an opportunity to experience the culture through a unique lense, allowing younger generations to experience and learn more about Hmong culture.

“It was a really great experience to see and listen too, the artwork was magical and Lor's sewing skills are amazing. I definitely recommend it to those who want to learn about different cultures,” an anonymous visitor said.

by Kayden Brandt

Published February 26 2024

Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue IV