Textiles in Translation: Hmong Women Tell the Stories Behind the Artwork of Their Migration and the Secret War | Arts + Literature Laboratory | Madison Contemporary Arts Center

Textiles in Translation: Hmong Women Tell the Stories Behind the Artwork of Their Migration and the Secret War

Arts + Literature Laboratory the Southeast Asian Healing Center, and the LAB^4 community curation team welcome artists Lou Vang and See Vang for an artist talk and collaborative event, Textiles in Translation: Hmong Women Tell the Stories Behind the Artwork of Their Migration and the Secret War on Friday, July 11 at 6:00pm. 

Textiles in Translation is presented in conjunction with the exhibition, Stitching the Story: Capturing Heart and Resilience through the Story Cloth on display Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, August 29, 2025.

This collaborative event will unite cultures while honoring the resilience, creativity, and stories of Hmong survivors of war through an immersive celebration of culture and art. A live interpretive experience will embrace the rich storytelling traditions of the Hmong community. Told in both Hmong and English, the program invites attendees to engage in meaningful conversation, free from language barriers, and connect through shared stories.

The event features local artists See Vang and Lou Vang, both with decades of experience in Hmong embroidery. See and Lou are excited to connect with community members, share their journeys, and offer insight into the philosophies that have guided their artistic and personal paths.

Lou Vang

Lou Vang

Born in Laos, Lou Vang’s life was shaped by loss and resilience from the very beginning—her mother passed away when she was just 8 months old. Raised by her father, Cia Kue Vang, she grew up during a time of conflict and uncertainty. At 18, she fled to Thailand to escape persecution, carrying only a few belongings—and even a chicken—as she made the dangerous journey.

Lou later met and married her husband, and together they built a family. Her talent in paj ntaub, traditional Hmong embroidery, became both an art and a way to support her children. She created stunning story cloths and cross-stitch pieces, including state-themed textiles, which she sold to Americans.

On March 3, 2005, she arrived in the U.S. with her 10 children as part of the last wave of Hmong refugees. They settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where she continued her craft and began a new life.

Today, Lou still gardens and creates paj ntaub, though not as much as she once did. Her... Read More

See Vang

See Vang

See Vang was born in the summer of 1949 to Pa See Vang and Yia Vue, and she grew up in Xieng Khouang, Laos. During the Secret War, she and her family fled to the Ban Vinai refugee camp. For ten years, See worked with Camacrafts, creating and selling Paj Ntaub and story cloths to Americans overseas to support her family. It was during this time that she developed her expertise and deep love for Hmong embroidery.

On March 16, 1992, See resettled in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and six children. She now lives a fulfilling life in Mt. Horeb with her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons.

Today, See continues to enjoy making Paj Ntaub, as it brings her happiness and helps ease her stress and worries. In her free time, she enjoys taking long morning walks, gardening, and visiting the Southeast Asian Healing Center to spend time with friends and family.

LAB^4 community curatorial projects are made possible by a grant from the Ruth Foundation for the Arts.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Arts + Literature Laboratory is located at 111 S. Livingston Street #100, Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.

Our galleries are open Tuesday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday noon to 5pm, and other programs take place throughout the week. Please check the events calendar and education section for details.

CALENDAR

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Stay up to date on upcoming programs and opportunities through our monthly newsletter.