Embracing his Vietnamese roots, artist Tan Nguyen chooses to reveal his identity through the unique and ancient beauty of his culture. The painting includes his self-portrait along with a significant amount of symbolism: a star, ao dai, and especially two nicely rendered mythic creatures in Vietnamese folklore- the Lac Bird (left) and the Ly-Tran Dynasty Dragon (right). The composition serves a crucial role, not just dividing the work symmetrically. The two panels also reflect two characteristics of Vietnam: appearing with strength as a nation like a dragon, but hinting at the gentleness of a bird. 'Ao Dai' (Vietnamese traditional costume) is an essential representation of the artist's country, which was made by his girlfriend, who is a fashion-design student at Van Lang University in Vietnam. His hands forming a yin-yang symbol centered by a star placed in front of a red ao dai suggests the Vietnamese national flag. Ultimately, the painting implies the importance of his Vietnamese background, where cultural heritage converges into the artist's heart, ready to be shared with friends around the world.

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