Image courtesy of the artist
From June 4-July 14, 2027 New City Arts will present an exhibition by Vu Nguyen.
Pomp, shares Vu, “explores the splendor and ritual of dining through hand-forged culinary tools reimagined as sculptural icons. These works blur utility and spectacle, inviting viewers to consider how objects transform meals into ceremonies—elevating the everyday with celebration, memory, and shared joy.”
Vu Nguyen (he/him) is a craftsman whose work bridges culinary tradition and contemporary craft. Through The Dustworks, he forges knives, utensils, and sculptural tools that honor the rituals of cooking and gathering. A former chef and restaurateur, Nguyen draws on lived experience in the kitchen to create objects both functional and symbolic, blending steel, brass, copper, and wood with intention. His practice is rooted in storytelling and the quiet poetry of shared meals. From his Crozet, Virginia studio, Nguyen’s work has been exhibited nationally and continues to connect chefs, collectors, and communities around the table.
Located at 114 3rd St. NE on Charlottesville’s downtown pedestrian mall, New City Arts’ Welcome Gallery supports artists who live in the Charlottesville area. Welcome Gallery exhibitions and programs are made possible by generous sponsors, donors, and grants. Interested in sponsoring an exhibition? Connect with us!