Cultural Affairs Office
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The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Announces Its Third Exhibition in the Expressions! Series with "Garden Traces"
May 8, 2023 -- The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs announces its third exhibition in the Expressions! series with “Garden Traces.” The show in the Houston City Hall Rotunda features the work of artist Naomi Kuo and follows her ongoing research about Asian American home gardeners in the Greater Houston area.
Naomi Kuo poses next to her artwork
The exhibit gives glimpses of her experience living in multigenerational immigrant communities and of the material resonances between various Asian American spaces across the country. In celebration of Earth Day and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Kuo hopes to bring greater visibility to Asian American expressions of home, community, and sustainability—and to inspire others to create their own spaces and practices that nurture healthy bonds between people and nature.
“This exhibition gives us an important look into the expressions of communities through their gardens. What you plant says a lot about yourself,” says The Mayor. “The theme of “Expressions!” has been wonderful to view in City Hall and interesting to see how different artists and organizations explore this subject.”
Kuo hosted an activation in the City Hall Rotunda on April 19th called “Garden Connections/Plant Exchange.” Visitors were invited to bring their own seeds, plants, or gardening goods to swap with others during the Earth Day HTX 2023 festival event. Kuo also exchanged plants, gardening goods, knowledge, zines, and art.
Garden Traces is on view at the Houston City Hall Rotunda from April 17–May 31, 2023.
Naomi Kuo Piece "Corner Home Part 2"
About Naomi Kuo
Naomi Kuo is a Taiwanese-American artist based in Houston, TX. She utilizes drawing, collage, quilting, and various collaborative modes to make connections between social systems, material culture, and individual experiences, particularly in immigrant communities. Through her work, she addresses both critical and everyday gaps in cultural understanding and hopes to contribute to the well-being of her local community. Kuo received an MFA in Studio Art / Social Practice at the City University of New York, Queens College. Her artwork has been exhibited in the Queens Museum of Art, Queens Public Library, and Walls-Ortiz Gallery & Center, among other places. She has also worked as an arts administrator, teaching artist, muralist, and community arts facilitator.
Learn more about the artist at www.naomikuoart.com.
About The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors, and leverage private investment. Learn more at www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @HoustonMOCA.
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