by Do Le Anhdao

artwork courtesy of Xuan My Ho

A Renaissance woman of sorts, Xuan My Ho has garnered success in both the arts and sciences. Her mosaics have been widely featured in art books, fairs and exhibitions around the country. Yet mosaic art is not her full-time occupation. By day Ho is an accomplished IT software development manager. Although she’s quickly building a reputation for herself in the art world, Ho enjoys balancing her life between technology and art.

There are few Asian artists recognized in the world of mosaic art. Ho’s work is distinguished by its diversity of textures. She uses organic materials to create everything from birdbaths, water fountains, wood and wrought-iron tables to statues, sculptures, flower stands, mirrors, and wall hangings.

NHA: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with NHA. Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself and your background?

XMH: I came to the United States as one of the boat people in 1979, four years after the war ended. By then, I had completed half of the coursework toward a degree in medicine from the Medical University of Sai Gon. After being in the United States for six months, I married my childhood sweetheart and we decided to start a family. I changed my major to Computer Science. I’ve worked in this field for the last 20 years and am currently employed full-time as an application development manager in a large software company. At first, I regretted not pursuing medicine, which had long been a part of my dream. However, over time, I’ve found I truly enjoy my work and career in computer software. It gives me financial stability and it’s the place where I can exercise my analytical and management skills. The mix of technical and art fields, along with my family, balances my life.

I’m glad that besides working in the corporate world, I have time everyday to devote to mosaic art, which is my deepest passion. I’ve worked on my mosaics almost every night and weekend for the past eight years.

NHA: How did you get started in mosaic art? When and why did you begin making mosaics?

XMH: My husband, who’s an architect and particularly interested in aesthetics, always encouraged me to take art classes. In 1999 I took my first mosaic class at a Community College and fell in love with this genre of art.

NHA: What made you choose mosaic art over other types
of art?

XMH: Before discovering mosaic art, I took three classes in black and white and color photography. I found that I didn’t have much skill in this area. Then during a trip to Spain I was truly inspired when I saw Antoni Gaudi’s work in mosaics. I returned home and took my first mosaics class. Soon after that I made some mosaic stepping stones and a small coffee table. That was when I discovered that I both love mosaics and have a natural creative ability for mosaic design.

Eventually, as the collection of my artwork began to grow, friends suggested I introduce my work to the public through community art fairs. My first show was the Kings Mountain Art Fair in Woodside, California in the summer of 2001. I was very motivated by the overwhelmingly positive responses and encouragement I received from fair-goers, and quickly sold a number of my pieces. Neil Young, the legendary rock composer and performer bought my iron table set “Four Seasons” as a gift for his wife! I was ecstatic. I thought to myself, not bad for a hobby that brings me such pleasure!

NHA: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in this field?

XMH: Pricing my pieces has probably been the biggest challenge. It’s always a challenge to price a piece so it’s affordable and yet doesn’t compromise my time and expenses. Mosaic work is highly labor intensive, especially the ceramic cutting part, and it takes a long time to complete each project.

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