Bright-Quang is a rare combination, a writer and artist. His work has sincerity as its strongest element. He has avoided the postmodern dilemma of meaninglessness. As Marc Chagall said, " Someone told me that sincerity is out of fashion, and that explains everything". Like Chagall, Bright-Quang's work is sincere and honest, and come from his real life experiences, it is not derivative. Him and his people, the Vietnamese, have endured the twin hells of war and communist repression. But his honesty and optimism sustain him and nourish his work, transcending the political to become intimate and personal. His writing has the peace of a soul at ease with itself, but the view of a terror, which few of us have had to know, except for a few rare instances in our lives. It brings a rare clarity of the effects of repression and corruption, in all of its terrible implication, more powerful and frightening than even the classic, A Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovih. It is a tribute that he can write and know of such things first hand and keep his balance and even a sense of humor. More than just writing, it is his story and the story of his people. His sculpture has the same honesty and sincerity. His most powerful work Controlling has a monumental presence, while maintaining the ambiguity of most great works. Like the monumental heads of Constantine in Rome, it goes beyond the political to become its own icon, memorable and unique. It lends itself to multiple interpretations to avoid becoming propagandist. Even his portraits of the president transcend the political, he has made them his own. They are as much about Bright-Quang as they are about the sitters. Bright-Quang has been creating for many years, but his work still has the energy and enthusiasm of a young artist. We look forward to many more years of his excellent and memorable work. Professor Jerry DeCamp.