Oil pastel on canvas.

Description

This work belongs to Trong Gia Nguyen’s painting series The Leavers, which delves into a profound exploration of history, culture, and the psychological journey of individuals uprooted and resettled in unfamiliar territories. Drawing inspiration from old family photographs, Nguyen’s paintings are reminiscent of pages from children’s colouring books, though devoid of their defining black outlines. This deliberate omission invites introspection into the subjective and fragmented nature of our recollections, as we actively shape and infuse the past with our chosen hues. By utilising oil pastels, a medium that retains an ever-fluid quality, Nguyen accentuates the organic and ever-evolving essence of memory.

Description is excerpted from "Neverwhere" Catalog, 2023, p.82."