In this solo exhibition, Du Chau captures the ephemeral nature of memory with the delicate mediums of piano wire and porcelain. Each work exhibited in Tracing the Threads of Memory is a recollection of Chau’s childhood in Vietnam and/or a representation of an enduring tenet in his adult life. Anchored by the themes of food and family, plants and seeds, Chau weaves a rich tapestry of resilience, growth, and joy amidst his migration from Vietnam to Texas. A central work in this exhibition is Seeds of Memory, which Chau expanded by including both new and preexisting components. The additive process within the work speaks to the cycles of growth and labor, both for farmers and for Chau’s own emotional journey. Simultaneously, Seeds of Memory stands as a turning point in Chau’s oeuvre in terms of monumentality and scale.

Materiality is a key component of Chau’s practice—the mediums of porcelain and music wire serve as visual metaphors in his work. For the former, the beauty of porcelain lies in its translucency. Porcelain has an illusionary effect; when light passes through the ceramic it appears hollow and porous. According to Chau, “the fragility and strength of porcelain act as metaphors for lived experiences—embracing caregiving, education, survival, and the quiet presence of nature.” For the latter, the music wires physically tether and support the intricate and delicate porcelain, becoming the literal threads of Chau’s narratives. Created as conduits of sound and music, the wires are now conduits of memory, which, much like the effects of a melody, lingers in our emotions and in our hearts even after a song has ended.