Unique visual slice in 'Other Selves'

'Strange Selves', a solo exhibition by female artist Phuong Luong, is a visual slice that not only allows one to see the outside world, but also reflects on the fragile inner world, floating with questions about oneself.

By repeating the unique "eye" motif, artist Phuong Luong's works in Strange Egos are transformed into organic structures, like half-abstract, half-figurative, expressive creatures, floating in a hazy space.

The exhibition "Different Selves" runs until August 26 at Maii Art Space Gallery - 72/7 Tran Quoc Toan, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: TRONG VAN

Sometimes the eyes are no longer simply for seeing, but become symbols of insecurity, of a fragmented presence, of an entity always scrutinized in silence...

PHOTO: TRONG VAN

"In her calculated minimalism, the artist evokes an inner space full of contradictions: lonely but crowded, silent but haunting, familiar but strange, figurative but surreal. The series of paintings does not tell a specific story, but opens up a series of questions: who is looking at whom?, are we observing or being observed?, are we witnesses or invisible?... Phuong Luong divides the surface of the painting into panels, like surveillance frames, shredded comics, windows where broken memories leak... Sometimes the eyes are imprisoned in a bright red frame, sometimes they lie drifting helplessly on the edge, as if trapped between the right to see and the fear of being seen", commented artist Phan Trong Van.

Different egos help each person find their own definition of themselves.

Different Selves, with 35 selected works, including 34 paintings and 1 installation, is like the author's sharing with viewers as both an experiencer and an observer, about the existential journey that every single individual must go through.

Painter Phuong Luong born in 1992

PHOTO: NVCC

Strange egos that entertain viewers

PHOTO: TRONG VAN

The subjects throughout each work are physically lonely and psychologically lonely, lost, and alienated. Lonely to the point of deformation. Lonely to the point of invisibility. Lonely to the point of not knowing what loneliness is.

Therefore, the unique visual slice in the exhibition by artist Phuong Luong makes many people, when looking at the paintings, suddenly realize that they - maybe are looking blankly at life, or are being looked back at by life. The "eyes" in the paintings are no longer simply parts to see, to admire, but become a symbol of existence and self-anxiety. They do not look out at the world , but seem to be searching for themselves in the blind areas of memory, of invisible frameworks.

Sometimes, that gaze is gentle like a whisper; sometimes, it is cold and indifferent...

PHOTO: TRONG VAN

"When coming to see my paintings, people can find themselves in any image, any 'ego' of the work. That 'ego' goes through scrutiny, scrutiny, exploration, doubt, envy, challenge, jealousy, ostracism, isolation, alienation, separation... by different 'egos'. I want to say that, no matter how long or short your journey is, be a true ego. In that so-called 'ego', loneliness is an inevitable and human attribute. It helps each person find their own definition of themselves", the female artist shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lat-cat-thi-giac-doc-dao-o-nhung-cai-toi-khac-la-185250817162020821.htm