Veronique Saunier's "Still Lives" collection, circa 1990

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Veronique Saunier's "Still Lives" Collection

Summary

Abstract:

"Still Lives," an exhibit of 70 paintings and drawings by 18 Vietnamese, explores the trials and slim joys of daily life in Hong Kong's detention camps, where boat people await word whether they will be given asylum or be forcibly returned to Vietnam. The show came together thanks largely to the efforts of Veronique Saunier, a French public relations consultant who spends time as a volunteer working in the refugee camps. The result is a hauntingly eloquent vision of life in the camps. A scene of people lining up for their daily rations was painted by a law student, Tran Van Hung. The scene used for the exhibition's poster was painted by Hoang Quoc Bien. In it, a young boy stands on an upended garbage can, straining to talk to a girl on the other side of a barbed wire fence -- the Statue of Liberty watches over the lovers' meeting.

Extent:

13.2 Linear Feet (1 half document case and 57 pieces of art)

Language:

English, Vietnamese

Preferred citation:

Veronique Saunier's "Still Lives" collection. MS-SEA-055. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations

Background

Scope and content:

The result is a hauntingly eloquent vision of life in the camps. A scene of people lining up for their daily rations was painted by a law student, Tran Van Hung. The scene used for the exhibition's poster was painted by Hoang Quoc Bien. In it, a young boy stands on an upended garbage can, straining to talk to a girl on the other side of a barbed wire fence -- the Statue of Liberty watches over the lovers' meeting.

Biographical / historical:

Véronique Saunier is a freelance journalist. She covers various industries from new technologies to textile and fashion. Based in Hong Kong, she has regularly contributed to former the Far Eastern Economic Review; Hong Kong's leading English newspaper, the South China Morning Post; Swiss daily newspaper and business publication 24Heures and PME Magazine as well as international trend magazine WGSN.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two series: Supplemental materials and Artwork.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Refugees Vietnam
Arts

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Audio cassettes have been reformatted and have digital preservation copies. Access to original audio tapes is restricted; researchers may request listening copies.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with the University of California. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Digital material is provided for private study, scholarship, or research. Transmission or reproduction of any material protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners.