Artwork copyright Diem Chau. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Diem Chau. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Diem Chau. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2021.

Slumber, 2012

Diem Chau
Vietnamese-American (born 1979)

Location: Pioneer Elementary School, Shelton

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Slumber is a an embroidered artwork by artist Diem Chau. She notes, “Coming from a nomadic childhood, what few possessions we had were necessities. Among that our greatest value lied in the stories contributed to us by friends and family. Embedded within them are connections to our past, our culture and an occasional escape from reality.” This artwork is part of a curated collection by Dawna Holloway in May 2021 at Pioneer Elementary, in Shelton, Western Washington. Holloway’s focus is the mystery of this world we find ourselves in together. Art can show us the world around us, as well as new ways of looking. Art is a tool and a language to express our vision of the world. These art examples remind us that art and its expression is always available to all of us.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with .

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Diem Chau combines common materials and approaches to create delicate and unexpected artworks. Her work is minimalist and restrained, but also approachable and understandable. Chau believes deeply in the value of storytelling and myths. She notes, “Each story is a journey that gives us greater understanding of our past and our culture. Each story is a thread that connects us to each other, the storyteller holding one end and the audience the other.” Chau was born in Vietnam. She came with her family to the U.S. as refugees in 1986 at age seven. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.