Early 2016, Hom introduces the Sans Repère (Without Bearings) collection, a series of masks without a mouth inspired by Asian children. The fruit of a mental projection based on pure imagination, a connection with his heritage rather than direct experience, emotion here and now. Hom’s deliberate choice to exclude the mouth in these graphic portraits intrinsically reminds us of the condition and attitude of immigrants in France, particularly Asians, who have no right to speak once they arrive, “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. Hom Nguyen clearly questions us on integration and immigration, still of relevance in our society today.
