MA in Art History

Tammy Tran, 2017

Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone (if you completed one):

My thesis is titled, Inception and Reception of Western Illusionistic Techniques in the Qing Court Art. I wrote about the artistic exchanges between Europe and China, and more specifically about the Western perspectival illusionistic techniques that were being used by the Qing Emperors in their commissioned works of art.  

How did you choose your specific area of study?

When I was an undergrad, I was already interested in the Early Modern Era and so I knew that I wanted to look at works of art and artists from this specific time frame. However, what really cemented my interest in studying the relationship between Europe and Asia was when I took Dr. Angela Ho’s seminar on Collecting and Global Trade. I was completely fascinated with artworks and trade objects that were being used to establish relationships between cultures and nations. 

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

It impacted me greatly. I think attending my MA program at GMU not only allowed me to foster my interest in Art History but also other life skills. I learned a lot about working together with my cohort as well as the cohorts before and after me. The program also taught me about communication, leadership, and most of all, how to be resourceful. Another thing about the MA Art History program here is that there were opportunities to dive into courses and roles related to Digital Humanities, which I think is really important today. 

Of which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud?

 I think I was really proud of my thesis. It’s actually not easy for me to sit down, write out my thoughts, and articulate it. I was just really happy being able to finish it. Through this thesis, I actually expanded my research and attended a couple of conferences. Another accomplishment is I started an oral history project during my second year after learning how to code and build websites (a course that is required at our MA program). If it weren’t for GMU, I wouldn’t have landed a skill that currently helps with my job and also my passion projects.     

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

Yes! I would say Dr. Ho, who was my mentor and thesis advisor. She was one of the main reasons why I chose to go to GMU-- because as an undergrad, I was introduced to some of her early works by my senior thesis advisor and I thought Dr. Ho would be a great scholar to engage with. Dr. Robert DeCaroli also made an impact in my academic career – and I still carry all of his advice with me today. 

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

Have lots of fun! Don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors and don’t be afraid to branch out your interests. Art history is actually very interdisciplinary so don’t limit yourself.  

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I actually went on to get my Library & Information Science degree in Cultural Heritage Information and Law Librarianship. Since then I’ve worked in libraries & special collections, as well as a digital preservation company. I’m currently a library fellow at GMU Law.