in Singularity
A collection of art and poetry where visual and verbal imagery blend seamlessly. Featuring all ten original artworks from my in Singularity Sketchbook and selected pieces from other sketchbooks and bodies of work. The poems are thoughtfully paired with artworks that either inspired them or were born from their creation.
in Singularity features original artworks and poetry by me, brought together to highlight the deep connection between image and word. In some pieces, the poetry emerged from the visuals—offering conceptual context and emotional layering. In others, the words came first, planting the seeds from which the artworks later grew. It’s an ongoing, synergistic exchange between my inner world and physical reality.
Just as I dwell in the temple of my mind and nature reigns over her landscapes, we shape one another—hopefully in ways that amplify the beauty and goodness already within us. Through my art, I hope to play a small part in building a more accepting world—for myself, and for others, especially those marginalized like me. I want to inspire all of us to appreciate the beauty of nature, to let it transform us into kinder, more sensitive beings—so that we may embrace our individuality and differences. We are all offspring of Mother Nature, and the simple fact that we’re here, breathing, is proof enough that we are meant to exist.
This book is shaped by my experience of transness, of love lost and love found, and of carving out a place for myself in the world—by nurturing the fallen, forgotten fruits of love until they could take root and grow anew. It is a testament to my selfhood, a reflection of the times we live in today, and a love letter to anyone who might need it tomorrow.
My art is my child—and my family is you: anyone who seeks healing and creative transformation through art. Fellow creatives, my queer family, My Tày diaspora, and like-minded indigenous tribes all over the world, the next generation of art lovers and emerging artists—this book is an intimate, long-overdue conversation to be had between us. My love letter to you, my strange, beautiful, chosen family.
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in Singularity is formatted to a print size of 8.25" x 11". I love the big and chunky design, as the oversized format gives me a childlike sense of wonder—marveling at the magic of opening a book for the first time.
How did in Singularity come to be?
In December 2023, I attended a local spoken word event and connected with fellow writing enthusiasts, who introduced me to a longstanding writing group in Hanoi. This group, known as the Hanoi Scribblers, has been around for over 20 years, with its oldest member participating for more than a decade. Every Sunday morning, the group gathers on the rooftop of a cozy, rustic two-story café tucked away in an alley in the Old Quarter. At the start of each meetup, we each create a writing prompt, drop it into a cup, and then randomly select one to respond to within 15 minutes. We share our responses in an open discussion, where our thoughts on each other’s writing, related literature, and life philosophy blend together, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts. It was in this creative and inspiring space that the idea for a book combining my written works and sketchbook art took shape.
As I move on from my writing group to pursue new endeavors, I dedicate this collection to the friends I’ve made (and the ones I’ve lost) in the group, as well as the friends I have yet to meet on my journey through life. To the strangers I’ve encountered and those I haven’t, to the stranger I once was, and to the strangers we all are to one another at times—this book is my love letter to strangers.
What sort of content can one expect in in Singularity?
I am both a mother and a child. The child writes with curiosity about the small little things of the world, while the mother reflects on self, grown-up love and loss, and life’s beginnings and endings. Sometimes, the mother edits the child's work; other times, the child pushes the mother to write fearlessly, to explore without hesitation, and to embrace mistakes.
As I revisit my past writing, recurring themes emerge: skin as a concept, water in nature, the universe’s end, celebrating life, and letting go to live fully. These threads prompted me to gather my writings—both poetry and prose, from sketchbooks and beyond—into this book.
Though I don’t write much, small fragments accumulate over time, growing heavier until they form a few poems a year. Meanwhile, the drawings in my sketchbook, once left behind, now color the spaces where words once were, becoming full illustrations. They are here to accompany the words, reminding me that friends and strangers can be one and the same. This book is a love letter to my stranger.