Phenomena is a captivating duo exhibition presenting the distinct artistic practices of Đỗ Tuấn-Anh from Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, and Richie Nath from Yangon, Myanmar. Hailing from Southeast Asia, these two visionary artists draw inspiration from their respective cultural backgrounds, delving into the realms of mythology, dreams, and the enigmatic nature of human existence. Through a compelling interplay of mediums, narratives, and visual aesthetics, the exhibition invites viewers on a journey of introspection, contemplation, and self-discovery.
Đỗ Tuấn-Anh, a master of visual poetry, blurs the boundaries between form and imagination in his spellbinding artworks. His series Fragile (2018) beckons viewers to approach closely to discover intricate patterns that reference the passage of time. Each stroke of acrylic on canvas reveals the profound beauty found within decay and evokes a deeply resonant sense of impermanence. His sculptures series, Relics (2019), crafted from acrylic on cement, reacall fossils that capture fleeting moments forever. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Buddhism, Tuấn-Anh's monochromatic works encapsulate the fragility of life and the eternal quest for existence, urging us to contemplate the brevity of our individual journeys.
Đỗ Tuấn-Anh, Fragile #2, 2018, acrylic on canvas | © Galerie BAQ
Đỗ Tuấn-Anh, Fragile #3, 2018, acrylic on canvas | © Galerie BAQ
Đỗ Tuấn-Anh, German Forest, 2019, acrylic on cement | © Galerie BAQ
Đỗ Tuấn-Anh, Seeker, 2019, acrylic on cement | © Galerie BAQ
Richie Nath, in contrast, mesmerizes with his vibrant and figurative painting series The Wounded Fawn (2023), unfolding from its genesis rooted in the captivating tales of Hindu mythology. Starting from a self-portrait depicting the artist himself looking at his mirrored reflection, Richie weaves captivating narratives, from the hybrid between Actaeon and Maricha to Mani-Kantha, the Serpent-King in the Jataka tales. The series features Richie’s relentless pursuit of one's true self, exploring the duality of human nature and the struggle between growth and resistance, East and West. His works challenge the viewer to confront their own inner demons and to persevere in the face of adversity.
Richie Nath, Must I Go On Pretending?, 2023, acrylic on canvas | © Galerie BAQ
Richie Nath, Where are you?, 2023, acrylic on canvas | © Galerie BAQ
The exhibition title, Phenomena, is inspired by the seminal works of Joseph Campbell, the renowned mythologist and author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Campbell's exploration of the human psyche and the metaphors found within mythologies serves as a guiding force, shedding light on the transformative power of storytelling and the pursuit of transcendence.
Phenomena transcends a mere exhibition; it weaves a tapestry of collective experiences meticulously curated by Lê Thiên-Bảo, breathing life into shared narratives that surpass geographical confines and cultural nuances. As you immerse yourself in the gallery's intimate space, a symphony of art and storytelling transports you to a realm where the threads of humanity intertwine. In Phenomena, universal themes of life, metamorphosis, and transcendence emerge, inviting contemplation of your own journey and the unfathomable depths of your being.
Image © Đỗ Tuấn-Anh
Đỗ Tuấn-Anh (b.1979 in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam) graduated from the University for Art and Design Hanoi in 2000, and currently lives and works in Solingen, Germany. Using the strong graphic approach he acquired in his studies, Tuấn-Anh’s monochromatic ink and acrylic images explore the complexities and fragility of time. Tuấn-Anh’s works are memento mori/vanitas: reflecting time and decay, reminding us of the struggle and shortness of our individual lifespans. Exploring how time passes, witnessing history, and observing its traces, Tuấn-Anh also takes inspiration from Buddhism and the artist Hubert Robert, by freezing a moment in today's fast-changing modern society.
Recent exhibitions: Reflection of the Doubled Scenery, Hanoi Studio Gallery, Hanoi, Vietnam (2022); Aus der Isolation, The Centre for Persecuted Arts, Solingen, Germany (2020); Erinnerungsrelikte, FONIS Galerie, Düsseldorf, Germany (2019); Migration und Identität, Goethe Institut, Hanoi, Vietnam (2015); Stories told in an oriental way, Manzi Art Space, Hanoi, Vietnam (2014); Faraway, Craig Thomas Gallery, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (2012); I wish..., Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi, Vietnam (2010); Asian art fairnale 2010, Haslla Art World Museum, Korea (2010).
His work is in the collections of the Ho Chi Minh Fine Art Museum, HCM city, Vietnam.
Image © Richie Nath
Richie Nath (b.1995 in Yangon, Myanmar) is a queer artist based in Paris since 2021. He was raised in Myanmar and spent his studies in England. Graduating from the London College of Fashion (2017) in fashion illustration, Nath is amember of the agency of artists in exile. His paintings explore themes of Queer self reflection, identity and dreams.
Richie combines illustration and painting with a tapestry of vibrant colors and intricate forms, delving into the complexities of the human figure, identity, eroticism and politics in the context of his own experience as a youth in a conservative society. Nath investigates the intricacies of the human psyche, and is compelled by mythology, Egyptian gods and Buddhist folklore. Nath’s paintings serve as a portal to his inner world.
Recent exhibitions: Mère D’Exil - Regards D’Artistes, La Cité Miroir, Liège, Belgium (2023); This Too Shall Pass, Spinello Projects, Miami, U.S.A (2023); EXPOSITION STOP WARS, Magasins Généraux, Paris, France (2022); Fighting Fear, 16 Albemarle, Australia (2021); Notes From The Motherland, Aicon Contemporary, New York, U.S.A (2020); The Foot Beneath The Flower: camp, Kitsch Art in SouthEast Asia, NTU ADM Gallery, Singapore (2020).
Image © Galerie BAQ
Galerie BAQ opened in Paris, France in April 2023, under the direction of Lê Thiên-Bảo and Quinnie SG Tan. We champions and amplifies contemporary art from the world’s emerging centers of creativity, working directly and in collaboration with artists who have ties to Southeast Asia and their diasporic communities everywhere. In addition to artists whose work creates a dialogue with Southeast Asia, Galerie BAQ is curious about forms of cultural production and creative expression that engage with complex histories and identities, reimagine traditions, and challenge dominant ideologies.
25 May - 17 June 2023. Curator : Lê Thiên-Bảo. Galerie BAQ, 15 rue Beautreillis 75004 Paris
Phenomena, installation view © Galerie BAQ
Phenomena, installation view © Galerie BAQ
Phenomena, installation view © Galerie BAQ
Phenomena, installation view © Galerie BAQ
Phenomena, installation view © Galerie BAQ
Phenomena, installation view © Galerie BAQ
