Born in Vietnam, Duy Huynh came with his family to the United States as refugee in 1981. They were commonly referred to as “boat people”, a moniker that he has often drawn inspiration from. Despite the challenges of assimilation and an enduring sense of displacement, growing up in southern California proved to be a transformative chapter in Duy’s life. His first introduction to art came in the form of murals, graffiti, comic books and animation. In attempts to create his own heroic characters, Duy developed a passion for drawing. More importantly for a kid that felt like an outcast, drawing became a means of transcending language barriers and cultivating connections.
In 1994 Duy attended UNC Charlotte with the hope of becoming an illustrator. It was not until the end of his sophomore year that he fell in love with painting and decided to pursue it after graduation. Duy’s work can be found in several galleries around the country, including Lark & Key, which he co-own’s with his wife Sandy Snead.
“I’ve also explored a variety of avenues and applications for painting. From creating public murals to painting live on stages, to collaborating with writers and musicians, it’s important to me that my work is accessible and far-reaching”.