Tran Nguyen Exhibition Information - Portraits of the Unknown - @ Thinkspace (June 12th - July 3rd)

2009年6月12日7月11日にかけてロサンゼルスのギャラリーThinkspacで開催されるSarah JoncasとKelly Vivancoの展示会に併せて、現在ジョージア州サバンナのサバンナ美術大学(Savannah College of Art and Design)で卒業を控えたベトナム出身のTran Nguyenの展示会が開催される。


Tran Nguyen

‘Portraits of the Unknown’

June 12th – July 3rd
Opening Reception: Fri, June 12th, 7-11PM

(Los Angeles, CA) Thinkspace is proud to present, Beneath the Seams, the first solo exhibition at our gallery from Canadian artist Sarah Joncas. Her debut Los Angeles solo exhibition will feature 18 new works including oil on canvas and graphite on paper, as well as a very special installation in our front entry area, and marks her largest body of work to date both in size and scale.

Opening in conjunction with Joncas’ show is an exhibition from San Diego based artist Kelly Vivanco. This will be the artist’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles and will be showcased in our project room. Alongside Vivanco’s work we will also feature new works from Vietnamese artist Tran Nguyen as part of our ‘Fresh Faces’ series.


(Statement): My current body of work consists of traditionally executed illustrations based on surrealism. “Portraits of the Unknown” focuses on melancholy as an aesthetic emotion that evokes calmness, allowing one to reflect. I believe exposure to such imagery is a therapeutic vehicle for individuals in need of alleviation. It is my intent for the viewer to find a sense of self-connection with the image, in turn, foster recollection and well-being. To mirror the emotion’s complex traits, highly rendered figures are juxtaposed with graphic forms. As for media, I enjoy working with graphite, color pencils, and light washes of acrylics. This media is most crucial because of its subtleness and precision.

The overall mood I try to convey is one that best illustrates a dream. I find that there’s little pleasure in drawing within the limitations of reality. Illustrating dreams and the unknown is what stimulates the mind. Like Francis Bacon has stated, the “job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.”

The intent of my work is to create a place that easily invites reflection, where the viewer can recollect their own memories relevant to the image. This uplifting yet somewhat solemn feeling makes, what I believe, melancholy most astonishing. This series of work has furthered my endeavors in creating imagery that can be used as a mean of psycho-therapeutic support. I see art is a powerful tool that motivates others to pursue their life endeavors. Thus, my primary focus as an artist is to illustrate visuals that will educate, encourage, and inspire others who have yet to find their own purpose.

(Bio): Tran Nguyen is a Vietnamese illustrator and painter specializing in fantastical and surrealistic imageries. In her work, she frequently visits themes that evoke introspection, combining the world of illustration and art therapy. Tran is fascinated with creating imagery that can be used as a psycho-therapeutic support vehicle. Based in Savannah, Georgia, she enjoys the aesthetics of nature and the out-doors which is commonly incorporated into her work. She is currently enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design where she will graduate with a B.F.A in illustration.


Thinkspace Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
#323.913.3375
Thur-Sun 1-6PM or by appointment
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com


Tran Nguyen
SNEAK PEEK: Tran Nguyen "Portrais Of The Unknown" - a set on Flickr