MSSU Theme Semester on Vietnam presents work by artist Duat Vu
The exhibition will be on view September 7–October 6 in the Cragin Art Gallery.
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Joplin, MO.- Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is proud to present Artificially Authentic, But Still Authentic, an exhibition by Vietnamese Canadian artist Duat Vu, as part of the university’s 2026 theme semester on Vietnam. The exhibition will be on view September 7–October 6 in the Cragin Art Gallery, with an artist talk at 12 p.m. and reception at 1 p.m. on September 9.
Duat Vu is a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant, transpacific boat survivor, and Associate Professor of Art at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Born in Vietnam, Vu escaped with his family during the “boat people” migration following the Vietnam War, an experience that profoundly shaped both his life and artistic practice.
Artificially Authentic, But Still Authentic explores the psychological and emotional aftermath of war, displacement, migration, and cultural duality. Through painting and drawing, Vu reflects on the tension of growing up between Eastern and Western identities while navigating assimilation, memory, trauma, and belonging. Combining personal narrative with expressive figuration and psychological intensity, the exhibition speaks to broader themes of identity, survival, and generational experience.
Vu earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Canada and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting in the United States. Before joining Missouri State University, he taught drawing, painting, and color theory at the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. His work has been exhibited nationally in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions, including multiple exhibitions at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati and features in New American Paintings.
The exhibition is presented as part of MSSU’s ongoing theme semester program, which explores global cultures and issues through interdisciplinary programming in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
About MSSU
Founded in 1937, Missouri Southern State University has a long tradition of expanding educational opportunities for Southwest Missouri and beyond. Serving nearly 4,300 students, the university offers more than 140 academic programs and is home to nationally competitive NCAA Division II athletics. Missouri Southern’s mission is to educate and graduate knowledgeable, responsible, and successful global citizens.
Unique among Missouri’s public universities, MSSU is the only institution with a statewide mission that integrates immersive learning experiences, health and life sciences, and global education as core pillars of its academic identity.
