Meet Trang Hoang | Illustrator & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trang Hoang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trang, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I find inspiration in the mundane, in anything that can be observed, felt, or experienced. It doesn’t have to be tangible; it just has to make me think or feel something. That moment of emotional or intellectual spark is what drives me to create. Since everything in the world already exists, I see art as a way to reinterpret and reframe what’s already there.

I love viewing other people’s art because it feels like looking into a reflection of their minds. I’m deeply inspired by others and, most of all, by perception—something uniquely personal and impossible to replicate exactly. Whether it’s displayed in a gallery or found in everyday life, anything that makes me think has the potential to be art. To me, anything can be art. The act of perceiving and evaluating something in your own mind is already a form of artistic expression.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I wouldn’t personally refer to myself as a professional; however, I am on the path to becoming a better artist by setting and striving to achieve more goals. For me, it’s grit and passion that truly separate artists from others. People in creative fields often possess a unique determination to make their work seen and to dedicate themselves fully to their craft.

The biggest challenge is losing that passion. It’s a struggle that many face—questioning whether what they’re doing is good enough. However, something I’ve learned along the way is that in art, the only person you truly need to pursue is yourself. Your judgment of your own work matters the most—what you need to improve, what you need to fix, and how you want to grow.

If you treat your art with respect, most likely, others will too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spot in the city that I love is Little Island. Although some may say it’s a tourist spot, I’ve visited it from time to time with the people dearest to me. As we watched the sunset together, many conversations sparked, and deep connections and lasting memories were made. I love simply watching the sunset by the auditorium and venting about life’s problems. And when any of us gets bored, we walk over to Chelsea Market nearby.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One of the greatest mentors I’ve had was David Soman, my professor during junior year. Who have helped me with my adaptation art book The Tale of Kieu. He provided me with invaluable motivation and offered new perspectives on creating art. Every piece of advice he gave didn’t just challenge the way I approached my artwork—it also reshaped my mindset as an artist. One of my favorite pieces of wisdom from David was about balance. He once told me that everything in art needs balance. It might not be immediately visible at first glance, but if you look closely and analyze carefully, you’ll see that everything is placed with intention to create harmony.

Email: hng2trngart@gmail.com