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Brandon Tho Harris (b.1995, Houston, Texas) is an interdisciplinary artist and arts professional based in Brooklyn, New York. His work is an evocative and deeply reflective
exploration of identity, formed by his experiences as the child of war
refugees. Harris’s artistic practice is an ongoing investigation into the
complexities of migration, memory, and the long-lasting effects of
displacement, focusing on the Vietnamese diaspora. His work draws from his own
family’s history, integrating both personal narratives and collective
experiences to create an intricate dialogue between the past and present.
Harris’ research-driven practice delves into the layered cultural, social, and
political histories of the Vietnamese-American experience, using photography,
video, performance, and installation to navigate the complex terrain of
intergenerational trauma, survival, and memory. He considers the land a
"living archive," a repository of personal and collective histories,
where displacement and resilience are inscribed across generations.
Through self-portraiture, found objects, and ancestral archives, Harris
reanimates fragmented histories, shedding light on the often-overlooked
dimensions of the refugee experience. His performances unfold as intimate,
highly symbolic rituals—gestures that echo the quiet weight of loss, the
struggle of assimilation, and the unspoken grief carried through generations.
His installations, often integrating natural elements and discarded materials,
evoke a sense of reclamation and renewal, where remnants of the past are pieced
together to construct new identities.
At the core of his work lies an interrogation of memory’s fluidity—the ways in
which war, migration, and cultural survival are not only recorded but also
reinterpreted through time. By bridging personal narrative with collective
remembrance, Harris invites viewers to confront the echoes of displacement and
reconsider how histories of violence, exile, and resilience continue to shape
contemporary identities.
Harris's work has been prominently featured in a range of exhibitions and
projects at esteemed institutions, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art,
Asia Society Texas, the Houston Center for Photography, and the Blaffer Art
Museum. His creative contributions have garnered recognition and support
through grants from The Idea Fund and Houston Art Alliance. Harris is also an
active voice in academic and professional circles, having participated in
lectures and presentations at leading institutions such as Yale University,
Rice University, and the University of Texas, among others. He holds a Bachelor
of Fine Arts in Photography and Digital Media from the University of Houston.
Currently, Harris serves as the Digital Media and Communications Assistant at
Sean Kelly Gallery.