I am an artist and writer. Travel is in my DNA, because I lived around the world from an early age. From childhood to adulthood, I lived in Washington D.C., South Korea, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. Those experiences led to a deep appreciation for different cultures and an interest in exploration, art, and storytelling.
Favorite Destination
Having spent a lot of time traveling in South East Asia and the Middle East, this one is tough. One of my favorite destinations was Burma (Myanmar). The food in Burma is incredible; it’s influenced by surrounding countries like Thailand, China, and India. That makes for a great confluence of flavors. One of the places I went to was Inle Lake, comprised of floating villages built on stilts in the water. You have to take a small boat to get anywhere. It’s part of what makes the place so special and unique.
Most Exotic Destination Traveled
Syria. I had the opportunity to travel there before things got really dangerous. Syria has such a rich history, and you feel it when you travel to different districts and sites. I visited Palmyra, which has since been largely destroyed by ISIS. It is a place I remember as being full of wonderful people with an equally beautiful culture.
On My Bucket List
I’ve long wanted to take a trip to Iceland, because I’m a fan of volcanoes and their landscapes. I’m really looking forward to making it to Reykjavík and beyond one day.
Travel Philosophy
I don’t like to plan things out too much. For me, part of the adventure is improvising and meeting new people along the way.
More About Rohan Vasa
Academics is an important part of who I am. I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago under a Presidential Scholarship, and graduated with a B.F.A. My artist-in-residencies include the International Center for the Arts, Italy; UrbanGlass, Brooklyn; Domaine de Boisbuchet, France; D’Clinic Studios, Hungary; and the Knight Foundation Art + Research Center, Miami. I exhibit my work as an artist in multiple group shows and solo exhibitions.
