Tommy Kha: Half, Full, Quarter

Discover the evocative world of Tommy Kha in "Half, Full, Quarter", a compelling monograph that intricately weaves self-portraits and bucolic landscapes with East Asian narratives in the American South. Over nearly a decade, Kha captures the unique psycho-geography of his hometown, Memphis—a place he describes as an active borderland between fantasy and memory, nostalgia and history. This deeply personal work highlights Kha's mother, a Vietnamese refugee who settled in Memphis in the early 1980s. She appears as a recurring character, both as a subject of quiet photographic study and a collaborative muse, symbolizing the intersection of family history and personal identity. "I'm a cut of my mom," Kha states, revealing how every photograph of her serves as a "Half Self-Portrait." "Half, Full, Quarter" features an engaging essay by acclaimed author Hua Hsu and a thought-provoking conversation with MacArthur Fellow An-My Lê, exploring Kha's family history and artistic approach. This beautifully illustrated book challenges cultural amnesia around Asian American experiences, offering a poignant visual narrative that resonates deeply. Add "Tommy Kha: Half, Full, Quarter" to your collection and immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of memory, identity, and artistry.