Jack Vo

Queer Vietnamese-American aqueous painter, digital illustrator, and book binder based in North Florida.

About

Many of my illustrative or narrative works explore personal identity, serve as emotional expression of complex situations, or are simply fanart of things I enjoy. My books that are of functional intent combine aesthetics, functionality, durability, and practicality.
I love creating books and exploring new ways to create them. I enjoy the manual labor and creative integrity it demands, and hope that those who purchase them enjoy the fruits of my labor. My practice as a binder are my “giving thanks” and appreciation for all types of books and their importance for the world.

I am a Vietnamese-American LGBTQ+ artist with proficiency in digital and aqueous illustration. I started bookbinding in 2022 during my final semester in undergrad and have continued to upkeep my practice since, selling at local artist's markets. I have a passion for arts and the human hand being necessary existences of our lives. I believe that art serves as evidence of our human existence. Not only as a whole species, but also individually. The art we produce is a relfection of our humanity and our condition of living in our contemporary times. My work is a reflection of my own self interests but also of the circumstances I find myself in. We always learn from historical artifacts about how old humans lived, and we will continue to do so in our own artwork that out live their maker.

Portfolio Directory

Book Work

Market Books

Books from various years made with the intent to be sold at markets. Ordered by newest to oldest.

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Artist's Books

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"Untitled" (2022)

Edition of 5. Lino/Relief Print, Lotke wax paper, Khadi lightweight watercolor paper, dyed linen thread, hand-bound pamphlet stitch.

My final project for my book structures class in my final semester of undergrad. This work explores the recent self-discovery of being autistic as an adult. It is an exploration of the struggles of social difficulties and isolation that have manifested over the years.

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Illustration

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"Actions Say More Than Words" (2022)

Edition of 5. Lino/Relief Print, Lotke wax paper, Khadi lightweight watercolor paper, dyed linen thread, hand-bound pamphlet stitch.

Originally a class project to create a book using a pamphlet stitch, I approached it with a comic narrative. It follows the story of a young aristocratic boy who had met another young ghost boy and his feelings that developed for the ghost.
The drum leaf aspect of this was actually due to printing errors. I had forgotten to keep in mind the double sided printing, and decided to glue together the backs of the pages together in order to save time and money. It was notably very painful and difficult to stitch together as a pamphlet due to the thickness of the drum leaf pages.

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Experience and Accomplishments

Education
Florida State University6 / 2018-7 / 2022
Bachelor's in Art, Class of 2022
Experience
Artist's Markets5 / 2022-Present
Tabled at various artist's markets selling primarily handmade books, as well as my original artwork, prints of my art, and other handmade crafts.
Persona 5 Fanzine: Memories of Summer10 / 2017-4 / 2018
I contributed to a fanzine for the video game "Persona 5", where the profits went to charity.
RyuKita Zine1 / 2018-2 / 2018
A fanszie for a character pairing of the video game Persona 5. It was a for-profit zine, and the profits were split among the contributors.
SHUWATCH!! The Ultraman Fan Zine2 / 2019-10 / 2019
A digital pdf fanzine for the franchise "Ultraman" where profits go to The Ultraman Foundation, a charity in Japan that focuses on aiding children and their families effected by natural disasters.
Freecon 2015 Artist Alley3 / 2019-3 / 2019
Tabled (shared) with friend and artist Nico Weaver at Anime Convention "Freecon" located in Tallahassee, FL. Sold prints and stickers as well as offered on-site ink commissions.
Freecon 2016 Artist Alley2 / 2020-3 / 2020
Tabled (solo) at Anime Convention "Freecon" located in Tallahassee, FL. Sold prints, stickers, hand-made clay pins, and offered on-site watercolor commissions.
Exhibitions
Celebration of Autism and Neurodiversity4 / 2022
My painting "Treading into New Territory" was displayed in the LeRoy Public Library (Tallahassee, FL) as a part of the Celebration of Autism and Neurodiversity exhibition. The Exhibition lasted the entire month of April.