Our featured exhibit for the run of DAWN from FEB 1 – MARCH 1 is
Women Anonymous: The Weight ofSilence by Kay Nguyen
Artistic Statement
In Asian culture, silence is rarely an absence; it is a heavy, inherited presence, built layer by layer over generations. This exhibition is a visual dialogue with the play Dawn, exploring the ways silence carves the identities of Asian women. We are the sculptures of the unsaid—shaped by what remains hidden, yet anchored by the gravity of unspoken histories, whether physical, political, or emotional.
The title Dawn suggests a beginning that emerges only from the deepest night. My works seek that ‘transition’—the threshold where silence ceases to be a burden and begins to bear witness. To be an Asian woman is to be a bridge between a history of survival and a future of self-definition. These paintings do not seek to ‘break’ the silence, for that quietude is our strength; instead, they give that silence a shape, a color, and a dignity. They invite the viewer to sit within the stillness and feel its immense, beautiful weight.
About the Artist
Khanh Nguyen (Kay) was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, and began drawing at the age of four. It wasn’t until her later years of high school that she discovered her love for oil painting, which has since become her primary medium. Though largely self-taught, Kay embraces the contemporary art movement, creating works with themes that invite audiences to bring in their own perspectives. For her, art is not only about beauty, but also about sparking thought and dialogue.
After spending over a decade in the United States, Kay earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Philosophy, along with a master’s degree in Interior Architecture. Ultimately, she chose to follow her lifelong passion for fine art. In her large-scale portraits, often painted with a mix of oil and acrylic, she explores the roots of her identity as an Asian woman living abroad. Her work blends Western philosophies with Eastern cultural traditions, reimagined through a distinctly feminine lens. Kay’s goal is to create paintings that are both visually captivating and intellectually engaging—art that draws viewers in with beauty, then encourages them to reflect more deeply on Asian culture, religion, and philosophical thought.
Learn more about Kay and see more of her work online check out her website here.
The gallery space at Everyman Theatre is a space to celebrate local artists and the community.
By engaging with local artists, we extend the themes of our plays beyond the stage and draw direct connections to the city of Baltimore. Everyman is deeply invested in creating imaginative spaces for all artists to express themselves. Our gallery space is a hub of inspired talent through the lens of visual art.
Interested in a bite to eat or a craft cocktail before a show?
The Bromo Arts District is home to many restaurants, bars, and hotels within walking distance of the theatre.