Self-Portraits As The Strings Tying Us Together

Self-portraits As The Strings Tying Us Together is a collaboration between Caroline Honas, Hùng Lê, and Bernadette Negrete that foregrounds process-driven artistic practices. Each substrate started in one of the three artists' studios, encountered various manipulations, and was then passed to one another for completion—or was created through the direct inspiration of one another’s work. This approach inspired a broader understanding of the methodology and aesthetics defining each artist’s practice, allowing the accumulated pieces to act as portraits of their relationships. During these encounters, content is set aside and replaced by process. Each piece is transformed, becoming a record of all three artist’s hands and the trust built between them over time. The result is a collage of sewn paper bricks, beaded paintings, and layered works that asks us to challenge the repeatedly centered individualistic approach in favor of collaborations.

Documentation by Caroline Honas

Roommate Quilt I

Caroline Honas and Hùng Lê

Hand-dyed quilted cotton, embroidery thread, and beads 

16” x 20”

Roommate Quilt II

Caroline Honas and Hùng Lê

Hand-dyed quilted cotton and bead  

16” x 20”

Beaded Flower I (Hùng and Caroline together as themselves)

Caroline Honas and Hùng Lê

Bead, oil, and acrylic on canvas 

6” x 6”

Bernadette as Hùng 1

Hùng Lê and Bernadette Negrete

Hand-dyed indigo cotton and thread

 7” x 5”

 Hùng as Bernadette as Hùng

Hùng Lê and Bernadette Negrete

Indigo-dyed cotton and beads 

6” x  5” 

Bernadette as Hung 4 

Bernadette Negrete

Paper and watercolor 

7” x 7

Beaded Flower II (Hùng and Caroline together as themselves)

Caroline Honas and Hùng Lê

Bead, oil, and acrylic on canvas 

6” x 6”

Bernadette as Hùng 2

Bernadette Negrete

Handmade paper and ink 

6” x 8”

Bernadette as Hung 3

Bernadette Negrete

Paper, gems, ink, and watercolor

14” x 6”

If Pearls Could Hold Hands 

Hùng Lê

Bead, lace, linen, and silk organza 

14.25” x 10”

Roommate Quilt III

Caroline Honas and Hùng Lê

Hand-dyed quilted cotton, embroidery thread, and beads 

16” x 20”

Hùng as a Clam 

Hùng Lê

Hand-dyed indigo cotton and embroidery thread

31” x 30.5”

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