This feature is part of CULTURED’s 2026 Young Photographers list. This year’s list spotlights 14 artists aged 30 or younger from around the globe who are united by a relentless curiosity and an understanding that the photographer’s most important job is identifying what deserves to be seen.
AGE: 27
BASED IN: New York
Through Nguyen’s stark lens, everyday encounters find levity. That playful tone earned the photographer a fellowship with the New York Times this year, as well as a spot in the Museum of the City of New York’s Triennial, “New York Now: After Dark.”
Who are your visual influences?
My first major inspiration was Gordon Parks—he inspired me to go into photojournalism. One of my other major influences was Cindy Sherman. When I was in middle school, I recreated some of her self-portraits as clowns. The way that she demonstrates performance in her work has been crucial. Visually, one of my biggest influences is Martin Parr; I always try to find the humor in my photographs the way he does.
What has been your most challenging subject to photograph so far?
When I studied photojournalism, I had a very academic understanding of what constitutes a “good” photo. Then, when I started the “Kitchen Gods” series, I treated it as a challenge to photograph things that feel familiar, like my friends, my family, my personal space.
I tried to convince myself that there was an objective quality to it, but I later realized that everything is a self-portrait. For some time now, I’ve wanted to photograph my mother as she ages. But I find it hard to pick up my camera and point it at her because it just doesn’t feel right. She’s the one person with whom there’s no performance.
What fears does your work address?
The fear of losing touch with my culture’s rituals. When I started making these offering tables, I didn’t know what really went into one. I tried to go broadly off of my memories of them, which ignited this fear of not being able to preserve that culture. That then led to a deeper understanding of why it was so important for my ancestors to pass them on.
Meet more of CULTURED‘s 2026 Young Photographers:
Rahim Rabia’s Advice to Other Photographers? Doubt Yourself More.
Photographer Arielle Gray Wants Her Subjects to Be Unafraid of Softness
For Queer Photographer Ben Jastremski, ‘Every Image I Make Is the Permission I Was Never Given’
War Still Rages in Ukraine. Photographer Conall Kearney Is There to Document It.
Meet the 30-Year-Old Mongolian Photographer Documenting Changing Borders
Sign up for our newsletter here to get these stories direct to your inbox.
in your life?
