River of Destiny: The Life and Work of Binh Pho

River of Destiny: The Life and Work of Binh Pho presents the art and story of an important Vietnamese-American artist. A leading figure in the new international movement in contemporary wood sculpture, Binh Pho utilizes modernist approaches to painting and sculpture to create bold new work that bridges the decorative arts with concerns for narrative and concept traditionally associated with contemporary art. In his text, author and curator Kevin Wallace explores the connections between Binh Pho's life experiences and his work. Tracing the artist's inspiration back through Vietnamese and familial history, the narrative shares the artist's struggle to follow his family to the U.S. following the Fall of Saigon, which included attempted escapes and time spent in a Communist "reeducation camp". After a dramatic final escape attempt, Binh Pho was stranded on a Malaysian island, where he fell in love with Vi, a fellow passenger on the boat that took him to freedom. Arriving in the United States, the young immigrant found that his struggles were far from over, yet the doors were open for him to discover his destiny. Published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art, River of Destiny: The Life and Work of Binh Pho presents a story of family, friendship, dreams, struggles, love and the intersection of life and art. Throughout the book, stunning reproductions of Binh Pho's artwork illustrate and illuminate his life story; with award-winning designer Ron Shore creating a marriage of text and imagery that makes the book a work of art in itself.