Truc Truong

Truc Truong is a visual artist working in portraiture, assemblage and installation. Her work is inspired by postcolonialism and her Vietnamese heritage, and her practice is rooted in play and animism. This is reflected in her manipulation of everyday objects to explore themes of power, identity, family, assimilation and displacement.

With support from the Trust, Truong undertook a workshop and research development opportunity at SoulFas in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – a local supplier and manufacturer of props for traditional Vietnamese lion dancing.

While Truong has experimented with lion heads in Australia, she was determined the learn the traditional way of making them in Vietnam.

Guided by Mentor Minh of SoulFas, Truong learned more than just technical skills. ‘Brother Minh introduced me to his whole family and their way of life. He gave me valuable advice on the importance of community, family, and giving back to others. He taught me to value the work as a spiritual connection rather than a monetary pursuit.’

Since the residency, Truong has become the winning recipient of Guildhouse's Catapult + Adelaide Fringe Mentorship Program. During this six-month program, Truong learned all about welding and steel fabrication techniques from her chosen mentor, sculpture and installation artist Jennifer Mathews.

The mentorship expands on her Vietnam residency, as Truong is committed to gaining the skills needed to craft large-scale physical structures and create complex installations on her own. Not only does it reduce her need to rely on external fabricators, but it also quite literally strengthens her assemblage and installation practice.

Truong's new work was presented as part of Adelaide Fringe 2025. She will soon have a solo exhibition The Closing of Opening Ceremony at Ordinance Gallery, Melbourne from 9–31 May 2025.