Thao-Nguyen Phan Discusses Rolex Mentorship with Wallpaper

Thao-Nguyen Phan (Post-Bac 2011, MFA 2014), an alum from the School's Painting and Drawing department, was selected for the Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative last year. The program, designed by the watchmaker to promote excellence by pairing budding young artists with sage accomplished ones, has in years past utilized the wisdom of Toni Morrison, Phillip Glass, and David Hockney, among others.

Phan, who was recently interviewed in Wallpaper magazine, was paired with Joan Jonas, the New York-based pioneer of video and performance art. Speaking of her experience, Phan said that one of the greatest benefits of the program is the lack of insistence on "a physical project that is considered ‘the result’ of the mentorship," but rather "a great life lesson that can be used for years to come."

Both Phan and Jonas were invited to participate in Carnegie International, in Pittsburgh, where they'll present a collaboration based on economy and botany.