Exiled dissident artist Mai Khoi (born Đỗ Nguyễn Mai Khôi) has been called the "Lady Gaga of Vietnam" and compared to Russian activist-band Pussy Riot. She was a pop star in Vietnam but began pushing back against creative censorship and attempted to increase the reach of her activism by participating in national politics. Government harassment forced her to move into exile in Pittsburgh. The International Free Expression Project co-sponsored her along with City of Asylum on an Artist Protection Fund grant through the Scholars at Risk program of the University of Pittsburgh. Mai Khoi currently serves on IFEP's International Advisory Board and is working on her latest piece, “Bad Activist: The Stage Show.” Mai Khoi will receive the Roosevelt Foundation's Four Freedoms Award for Freedom of Speech in April.

Julie Trébault is a highly respected expert in the art and archeology world, serving as director of public programs at both…