Master of Fine Arts in Design

While sharing the history of Paj Ntaub, Yang also illustrates the story of To Broken Souls, using the story cloth style, telling the story of Ben, a young Hmong man, and a leaf frond spirit and the connections they make. Yang’s mother played a role in his educational journey as well. “A large portion of why I wanted to reconnect with my culture was for my mother. I wanted to make her proud and show her just how much she means to me, which was one of the reasons why I pursued the M.F.A. and focused on the Hmong arts. “She loved making flower cloths, so her eyes would always light up when I showed any kind of interest in it, especially for my education,” Yang said. Yang learned the story cloths and Paj Ntaub were art forms pioneered by women. He studied their selection of colors used in the textiles, the spacing of images and texture. “The embroidery creates a natural texture, even in the placement of the direction of the stitches,” he said. “I admire the intricate designs of the folding and sewing techniques they use. It’s very difficult.” Yang is thankful for the support he received during his time at UW-Stout, naming mentors Tanya Gunkel, Educational Materials Center librarian; Aubrey Huff, former librarian; as well as his thesis committee members – Evensen; Associate Professor Mitchell Ogden, English, philosophy and communication; and Assistant Professor Mary Climes, of comics. “I had originally wanted to include my mother in some capacity for my thesis. She unfortunately will never be able to see what I had planned for the future after graduation,” he said. “My brother, sister-in-law and sister have supported me in my mother’s place.” Jackson Yang graduated in Spring, 2023, and was hired as an advertising designer for Menards. He is now a Graphic Designer for UW-Stout Marketing & Communications. Yang’s mother died in 2022 from COVID.

“Working with Jackson has been delightful. He is incredibly thoughtful and motivated, and his work is well-crafted and quite beautiful.” —ERIK EVENSEN, THESIS ADVISOR

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