Dr. Ida Balderrama-Trudell
Celebrating 50 Years of Hmong Diaspora
May 9, 2025
On Friday, May 9, the Hmong Institute and Overture Galleries hosted a panel discussion and reception celebrating the “Hmong Diaspora in Tapestry” exhibition. This year marks 50 years since the Hmong diaspora from Laos. The textiles exhibited in the Playhouse Gallery tell the story of the diaspora experience through art, woven and embroidered in story cloths that carry Hmong history and the Ban Vinai refugee experience.
The panel was hosted by Mai Zong Vue, a cultural trainer, folklore performer and Chief Operating Officer of the Hmong Institute. Vue expressed admiration for the panelists’ histories and the impact of textiles on their lives. Panelists included Mai Lee, Xue Lee and Pai Lee Thao, who were refugees in the Ban Vinai camp in Thailand following the Vietnam War. During their time at the camp, this trio used their traditional tapestry skills to make money to support their families.
Ban Vinai housed over 40,000 people between 1973-1983. Historically, cross stitch and applique on cloth are used both ritually and culturally by the Hmong. In Hmong culture, women are the only ones who do needlework, and they create pieces for their children, specifically their daughters. These skills help cultivate characteristics such as patience, appreciation and hard work ethic; enhance motor skills including hand, leg and body coordination; and preserve New Year traditions such as attracting a suitor or building a positive reputation.
The needlework is precise—no ruler is used in creating the tapestries. Some cloths tell stories; others are used for functional items, such as baby carriers and baby hats that are protective from bad spirits.
Pai Lee Thao shared, “Even if you do not understand it, there is a meaning to each piece of needlework and tapestry.”
The work you see is not just about the artist’s skill but also about preserving Hmong history. Thao shared that they created it because they were struggling financially and it was also a form of self-therapy.
Xue Lee shard the challenge of being a refugee and her life once she immigrated to the United States. She worked second shift and would return home to work on tapestries to sell. She worked very hard and devoted her life to her five kids, all of whom are college graduates. Working needlework kept her happy. Lee has been an artist in residence at the John Michael Kohler Art Center, where she has taught others about this art form and Hmong history.
During the Q&A, Mai Lee shared how this art form has changed over the years with the commercialization of their art. While at Ban Vinai, she recalled, there often wasn’t enough food, which led her to create larger pieces and take commissions for items like blankets and car covers. The panelists also shared that this art form is mostly performed by elderly Hmong women, with fewer younger generations learning the craft. This emphasizesthe importance of the Hmong Institute’s mission and events such as these to preserve their culture and share Hmong history.
“’Hmong Diaspora in Tapestry’ offers a powerful window into the lived experiences of the Hmong people through the intricate language of story cloths,” said Stephanie Barnez, director of galleries at Overture. “These textiles bear witness to displacement, resilience and cultural preservation, honoring a legacy that continues to shape the Hmong community today. We are proud to share this exhibition in partnership with The Hmong Institute as part of their ongoing work to celebrate and preserve Hmong heritage.”
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month. The exhibit is part of the Hmong Diaspora Celebration 2025 that will culminate in a banquet on Saturday, May 31. The exhibition is available for viewing until Sunday, June 8.