We’re looking forward to introducing you to Zack Nguyen. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Zack, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts early with either a boxing class at Ding Ding Boxing Studio downtown (shout out to Jennifer) or a HIIT session between 6 and 8. By 10 I’m at my art studio at the Goldmark Cultural Center, checking emails from clients and students before diving into design work and teaching prep. When things aren’t too hectic, I carve out time to plan or create new artwork, which keeps me energized. After six it’s my personal time, whether that’s dinner, hanging out with friends, or honestly, more art, since creating is therapeutic for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a hybrid artist working across photography, altered images, site-specific installation, technology-driven performances, and sound design. At the heart of my work is a curiosity about how chaos and stillness can coexist. I like to create spaces where turbulence and calm overlap, much like the tension between minimal form and expressive intensity. Alongside my studio practice, I curate exhibitions that highlight artists exploring identity, technology, and more-than-human perspectives. I see curating as an extension of my artmaking; both are ways to build platforms for dialogue, empathy, and collective reflection. I currently work as an adjunct professor of Digital Arts at Dallas College, and as a user experience researcher.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’d say I’ve mostly become who I imagined I’d be when I was little. There was a stretch in my late teens and early twenties when I got caught up in what the world expected, and I lost sight of myself for a bit. But honestly, I’m grateful for that detour. It reminded me of the five-year-old me who just wanted to be an artist and a designer, and that’s exactly who I’ve returned to.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. In my early twenties I hit a really low point. I was working in healthcare, but it didn’t fulfill my creative side. At the same time, my family and romantic relationships were struggling, and all of it piled on top of a lifetime of feeling like an “outsider.” I remember sitting in a psychiatry facility, filling out paperwork and thinking I was one percent away from giving up. But in that moment, it clicked: if no one cares whether I give up, then no one’s stopping me from trying again either. That thought flipped something in me, and I chose to keep going and rebuild my path.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think so! My mom said I had no filter. The public version of me is real, but it’s just one side. Sometimes I’m very outgoing and talkative, other times I’m happiest just observing and listening. When I’m alone, I swing between being super calm and super wild. So it’s all me, just different shades of the same person, haha.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had 10 years left, I’d cut out anything and people that drain my energy or don’t align with who I want to be. Living with ADHD taught me that motivation comes and goes, so I’ve learned to lean on discipline, intention, and adaptability instead. I already try to treat every day like it could change in an instant. A Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh, once said, “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” That’s a reminder for me to focus on what matters and let go of the rest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zacknguyen.art/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/itszacknguyen
Image Credits
Diane Durant, Cate Duckwall, David Krenz
