Meet the talented artist from the Hmong Elder Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In the Fall of 2019, these artists were featured as part of Partners in Action: A Community Exhibit at the Minnesota Museum of American Art.
Yia Vue Lee
Born in Saitong, Laos, she began sewing paj ntaub when she was only 6 or 7 years old. She shares her deep desire to learn this craft and how she eventually learned.
Pa Lee Thao
Pa was told from a very young age, it was a women’s job to learn the craft of paj ntaub. When she lived in Thailand, she became an instructor of paj ntaub.
Vang Chai Lee
Vang was a farmer in Laos and came to the United States as a refugee in July 20, 1987. His father taught him the craft of bamboo basket weaving at the age of 15.
Youa Pov Lee
Lee learned to basket weave as a necessity for life as a farmer. He made baskets for chickens and pigs, which is no longer required for life in America.