Exploring states 'between dreaming and reality'
Friday, October 12, 2007
By JANET PURCELL
Special to the Times
Excerpted from the Trenton Times at www.nj.com
Sauman Choy began her artistic career sketching and practicing Chinese calligraphy with her father. She was just 5 years old at the time and living in Hong Kong, where she was born.
Now she's 28, living in the United States, and continuing her emergence on the art scene with a unique body of work that recently has been on exhibit at Hopewell Frame Shop's Gallery.
Choy earned a bachelor's de gree in printmaking at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and is studying oil painting and mixed media at The Art Students League in New York City. She was awarded the Certificate of Excellence for Academic Achievement, The President's Award and an International Scholarship from Pratt, as well as a Work Study Scholarship from The Art Student's League.
All this is mentioned at the be ginning of this review to make it clear that although she is an emerging artist, she is one with considerable talent.
On her Web site (www.saumanchoy.com), Choy writes about the magic that occurs for her just as she begins to drift off to sleep. "As the day's events come to a close, and our thinking winds down, something seemingly springs for ward from within us," she says. "These paintings are the attempt to capture those fleeting mo ments."
Her work is pure abstraction and is created using an oil-glazing and gold-leaf technique.
"Dreamland," for example, is a 12-inch-square oil on canvas to which she added bits of gold leaf to a violet and soft purple painting that seems to call to mind an antique floral bouquet. It's soft and delicate.
"Fallen Angel," however, is a 30-by-40-inch painting that can best be described as dramatic. A black background warmed by aliza rin crimson supports gold-leaf frag ments, some of which are reddened and some left bright gold. Gold-leaf confetti pieces appear to be bursting through the darkness of night.
"I'm In The Mood For Love" suggests another state of mind that occurs before sleep creeps in. This is another large painting -- 40 by 30 inches. The palette is a feminine one in pinks and purple on subtle gray. The viewer's eye travels through splatters of purple and black as it goes to a centered white space.
On her Myspace blog (www.myspace.com/saumanchoy), Choy says, "We all experience the mystical states between dreaming and reality, a spontaneous fuzzy visionary sparkling in our mind. My work is about the visualization of these 'afterimages' as a process of self- awareness."
Although her paintings are layers of glazed colors, there is noth ing "fuzzy" about them. But they do sparkle. The top layer of glazing catches the light and when you look through it you see drips and spatters, smears and splashes.
"Fallen Embers," a 24-inch-square painting is like that. A layered white background has many colors showing through to the surface while red, blue and gold leaf are seen in a crevicelike area.
"Splash," another modest-size work, makes a big energetic statement with vivid blues, white, yellow and red -- and even a suggestion of orange at the bottom. "Universal Traveler" is done in earth tones and a crackly burst of silver leaf. And "Oasis," the largest piece in the show, measuring 60 by 40 inches, has a surface covered with greens and blues and patches of gold leaf laid on thick in some areas and thin in others.
Abby Frantz, founding owner of the gallery, says Choy's father-in- law, a longtime customer, suggested she interview Choy for a possible exhibit. "They came down from Jersey City (where Choy lives with her husband) and when she brought the work in I was completely knocked out. I was stunned," she says. "I got no suggestion from the Web site of the vi brancy of the color and the depth and layers. At the opening, (reception) people were overwhelmed with her."
"Using oil and glazing and gold- leaf technique, I intend to create a luminous and reflective light effect in my works," Choy says. "The choice of colors is a vital element for capturing the characteristic aura directly related to my emotional life. ... The saturated imagery allows us to revisit the world between dreaming and reality. This journey evokes the co-existence between the afterimages and our myriad emotions."
Choy's work has been exhibited at Columbia University's Center for Women's Reproductive Care, the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour '06, The Art Student League of New York, and several galleries at the Pratt Institute.
http://www.nj.com/living/times/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/1192162337156980.xml&coll=5
Friday, October 12, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Jersey City Artists Studio Tour (Official Press Release)
Jersey City Artists Studio Tour Enters 17th Year
Fastest Growing Arts Scene Features Hundreds of Artists
Dozens of Free Exhibitions, Galleries, Museums, and Live Entertainment
JERSEY CITY -- Experience the East Coast's fastest growing arts scene
at the 17th Annual Jersey City Artists Studio Tour on Oct. 6 and 7th,
2007 from noon to 6 p.m. This free event is accessible by public
transportation via the PATH, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and NJ
Transit bus or train.
This year's tour will feature hundreds of artists, dozens of
exhibitions, galleries, museums, live music and performances, food,
drink and parties – all located just five minutes from Manhattan.
Sponsored by Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, the City of Jersey City
Division of Cultural Affairs and Pro Arts, the Jersey City Artists
Studio Tour includes group exhibitions throughout the city and at some
of the city's premier galleries.
Come explore Jersey City's arts market, where there is truly something
for everyone.
Public transportation from NYC, take the MTA subway or bus to the
PATH. Take the Journal Square PATH train to Grove Street station.
Studio Tour maps and shuttle buses will be available at that location.
For more information on the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, contact
the Division of Cultural Affairs at 201-547-4333./////
Fastest Growing Arts Scene Features Hundreds of Artists
Dozens of Free Exhibitions, Galleries, Museums, and Live Entertainment
JERSEY CITY -- Experience the East Coast's fastest growing arts scene
at the 17th Annual Jersey City Artists Studio Tour on Oct. 6 and 7th,
2007 from noon to 6 p.m. This free event is accessible by public
transportation via the PATH, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and NJ
Transit bus or train.
This year's tour will feature hundreds of artists, dozens of
exhibitions, galleries, museums, live music and performances, food,
drink and parties – all located just five minutes from Manhattan.
Sponsored by Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, the City of Jersey City
Division of Cultural Affairs and Pro Arts, the Jersey City Artists
Studio Tour includes group exhibitions throughout the city and at some
of the city's premier galleries.
Come explore Jersey City's arts market, where there is truly something
for everyone.
Public transportation from NYC, take the MTA subway or bus to the
PATH. Take the Journal Square PATH train to Grove Street station.
Studio Tour maps and shuttle buses will be available at that location.
For more information on the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, contact
the Division of Cultural Affairs at 201-547-4333./////
Jersey City Artist Studio Tour 10/6 & 10/7
Jersey City Artists Studio Tour
Oct. 6th & 7th
Downtown Jersey City
12-5pm
See you there!!!
Google Map to the studio!!!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Notes On Being a Painter (Response to Dave Hahn’s On Being a Musician)
I recently read my friend Dave Hahn's thoughts On Being a Musician (www.myspace.com/dubwisdom). It was a great piece and has been kicking around in my head the last few days. I'll quote the part that really struck me and got me started thinking, "It's sad that people would still judge the success of their art based on whether or not its providing them with a paycheck. It's understandable that in this world that we would tend to identify ourselves with whatever it is we do to make money."
Without delving too far into the historic or psychological roots of this phenomenon I would simply and generally state that our sense of self and identity is formed in large part by what it is we spend the most time doing in our lives (for better or for worse). It's not "I think therefore, I am" it has become "I do, therefore I am." I work in law, I am a lawyer. I work in medicine, I am a doctor. I make music, I am a musician. I paint pictures, I am a painter. As you can see it's hardwired into our language and thus into the way we think and experience ourselves and our world.
Now consider the fact that as humans, we crave acknowledgement and approval of our activities. In the "democratic" and "capitalist" society we live in, money has become the primary source of approval and is seen as the most legitimate gauge of success. Money thus legitimates what we do and therefore who we are. "I make money therefore, I am." Take this a step further, flip it around, twirl it in the air, and you have the mantra of our day – "I consume, therefore I am." Since, in our society we spend the majority of our time working to make money to pay for the necessities of survival and for the comforts of consumption, "What I do to make money," becomes "Who I am." And of course none of this guarantees happiness or mental health or fulfillment or joy or wholeness.
OK, these are deep ideas and well beyond the scope of a little blog entry. How do they connect to being a painter? A musician? An artist?First, as humans we all crave recognition and acknowledgement – which is nothing more than to say we need some form of direct human contact or communication – intimacy. As artists and musicians our creative processes and creative endeavors are nothing more than complex ways of opening ourselves up to and engaging the people and the world around us. It is exciting and fulfilling when people take time to engage us by listening to our music, looking at our paintings, etc. It is a special and unique form of human intimacy. And as with any form of intimacy it can be joyful, painful, playful, scary, etc. – the whole rich variety of emotional experience. While intimacy is rewarding and reason enough for engaging in the creative process, making money with our art also provides a powerful feeling of social approval and a legitimization of our activities.
A few last thoughts, from a psychological or philosophical perspective our sense of self or identity is a complex process – one in which we as humans have come to have a more active and conscious role. The recognition that we play an active role as authors or creators of our own identity and sense of self has been a very powerful and important development over the last 100-200 years. It is now widely recognized that "self-narration" and "self-creation" is a fundamental characteristic of human nature and that maintaining the ability to self-narrate is a fundamental human right – a wonderful and positive development. It has also led to the popularized notion that we are all "creative" that we are all "artists." However, the idea that there are 7 billion "artists" in the world is a bit of an overwhelming thought for an artist – threatening meaninglessness. The problem is – if we are all artists, then the word "artist" is potentially meaningless, and my self-created identity as an artist is potentially meaningless. This is obviously a big complex issue for artists, particularly visual artists, and I will only remark briefly here. For many artists, the ability to say that one makes money or lives by their artwork becomes an even stronger anchor to which to tether one's sense of self in the face of a raging hurricane of meaninglessness.
Peace,
Gordon Fraser
www.gordonfraserfinearts.com
www.myspace.com/gordon_fraser
Without delving too far into the historic or psychological roots of this phenomenon I would simply and generally state that our sense of self and identity is formed in large part by what it is we spend the most time doing in our lives (for better or for worse). It's not "I think therefore, I am" it has become "I do, therefore I am." I work in law, I am a lawyer. I work in medicine, I am a doctor. I make music, I am a musician. I paint pictures, I am a painter. As you can see it's hardwired into our language and thus into the way we think and experience ourselves and our world.
Now consider the fact that as humans, we crave acknowledgement and approval of our activities. In the "democratic" and "capitalist" society we live in, money has become the primary source of approval and is seen as the most legitimate gauge of success. Money thus legitimates what we do and therefore who we are. "I make money therefore, I am." Take this a step further, flip it around, twirl it in the air, and you have the mantra of our day – "I consume, therefore I am." Since, in our society we spend the majority of our time working to make money to pay for the necessities of survival and for the comforts of consumption, "What I do to make money," becomes "Who I am." And of course none of this guarantees happiness or mental health or fulfillment or joy or wholeness.
OK, these are deep ideas and well beyond the scope of a little blog entry. How do they connect to being a painter? A musician? An artist?First, as humans we all crave recognition and acknowledgement – which is nothing more than to say we need some form of direct human contact or communication – intimacy. As artists and musicians our creative processes and creative endeavors are nothing more than complex ways of opening ourselves up to and engaging the people and the world around us. It is exciting and fulfilling when people take time to engage us by listening to our music, looking at our paintings, etc. It is a special and unique form of human intimacy. And as with any form of intimacy it can be joyful, painful, playful, scary, etc. – the whole rich variety of emotional experience. While intimacy is rewarding and reason enough for engaging in the creative process, making money with our art also provides a powerful feeling of social approval and a legitimization of our activities.
A few last thoughts, from a psychological or philosophical perspective our sense of self or identity is a complex process – one in which we as humans have come to have a more active and conscious role. The recognition that we play an active role as authors or creators of our own identity and sense of self has been a very powerful and important development over the last 100-200 years. It is now widely recognized that "self-narration" and "self-creation" is a fundamental characteristic of human nature and that maintaining the ability to self-narrate is a fundamental human right – a wonderful and positive development. It has also led to the popularized notion that we are all "creative" that we are all "artists." However, the idea that there are 7 billion "artists" in the world is a bit of an overwhelming thought for an artist – threatening meaninglessness. The problem is – if we are all artists, then the word "artist" is potentially meaningless, and my self-created identity as an artist is potentially meaningless. This is obviously a big complex issue for artists, particularly visual artists, and I will only remark briefly here. For many artists, the ability to say that one makes money or lives by their artwork becomes an even stronger anchor to which to tether one's sense of self in the face of a raging hurricane of meaninglessness.
Peace,
Gordon Fraser
www.gordonfraserfinearts.com
www.myspace.com/gordon_fraser
The Writing on the Walls – Of Love & Riots @ 58 Coles – Jersey City, NJ
There's a lot one could say about the current show at 58 Coles (www.myspace.com/58coles – Of Love & Riots put on by the Trust Your Struggle Collective www.trustyourstruggle.com. There's the art – a blend of mural painting, relief, found object, and graffiti – installed with the haste of an illicit tag by the artists this past week and accented with candles and a live dj for the opening. Then there are the political and social messages – oppression and the struggle for social justice. And of course there are the artists themselves – Borish, Cece, Erin "Charm" Yoshioka, Miguel "Bounce" Perez, Robert Trujillo, Shaun Turner, Scott La Rockwell, DJ Jonny Paycheck, DJ King Tres – and their collective movement – Trust Your Struggle – based out of the San Fransisco Bay area and New York City.
It's safe to say we all know what love is – deep human empathy and connection. While a riot is usually understood to be a violent public disturbance, violent disorder or confusion, riot also refers to a brilliant display, as in "a riot of colors;" to grow wild in abundance; and, something very funny. The Trust Your Struggle collective puts together a floor to ceiling display of love and the struggle for dignity, reminding us of our shared human connections.
Entering the gallery you are pushed back by a phalanx of wooden soldiers, helmets, shields, and guns bulging out of the wall – a present day vision of Uccello's Battle of San Romano. The effect is to transform you from a mere spectator to an active participant in an ongoing human struggle. To remind you that both inside and outside the gallery walls you are always already under assault and part of a real and vital war for dignity and justice. Moving through the space, we come upon two altars commemorating both death and the anonymous masked revolutionaries among us who resist the ongoing assault on our dignity and that of our family and friends. We are asked both to recognize them and meditate upon what this means to us, as we bow are heads to watch the flickering candles on the floor. An oversize portrait of an adolescent gangster watches over the whole scene, proudly displaying his camaraderie while his eyes betray fear and a sense of resignation. While the mood of the front room communicates feelings of anger, frustration, indignation, and fear, the work in the back room back room bears witness to the personal sadness and pain. We see the victims and are asked to recognize of family and friends, to feel compassion and empathy, to connect with their humanity.
On Friday night of the opening, friends chatted with friends, strangers chatted with strangers. A vibe of love was in the air, coursing through our bodies with the beats of the music spun by the two djs. An impromptu dance circle formed with beautiful bodies moving and shaking and sweating together. And I hope everyone like me had a riot.
-Gordon Fraser
www.gordonfraserfinearts.com
www.myspace.com/gordon_fraser
It's safe to say we all know what love is – deep human empathy and connection. While a riot is usually understood to be a violent public disturbance, violent disorder or confusion, riot also refers to a brilliant display, as in "a riot of colors;" to grow wild in abundance; and, something very funny. The Trust Your Struggle collective puts together a floor to ceiling display of love and the struggle for dignity, reminding us of our shared human connections.
Entering the gallery you are pushed back by a phalanx of wooden soldiers, helmets, shields, and guns bulging out of the wall – a present day vision of Uccello's Battle of San Romano. The effect is to transform you from a mere spectator to an active participant in an ongoing human struggle. To remind you that both inside and outside the gallery walls you are always already under assault and part of a real and vital war for dignity and justice. Moving through the space, we come upon two altars commemorating both death and the anonymous masked revolutionaries among us who resist the ongoing assault on our dignity and that of our family and friends. We are asked both to recognize them and meditate upon what this means to us, as we bow are heads to watch the flickering candles on the floor. An oversize portrait of an adolescent gangster watches over the whole scene, proudly displaying his camaraderie while his eyes betray fear and a sense of resignation. While the mood of the front room communicates feelings of anger, frustration, indignation, and fear, the work in the back room back room bears witness to the personal sadness and pain. We see the victims and are asked to recognize of family and friends, to feel compassion and empathy, to connect with their humanity.
On Friday night of the opening, friends chatted with friends, strangers chatted with strangers. A vibe of love was in the air, coursing through our bodies with the beats of the music spun by the two djs. An impromptu dance circle formed with beautiful bodies moving and shaking and sweating together. And I hope everyone like me had a riot.
-Gordon Fraser
www.gordonfraserfinearts.com
www.myspace.com/gordon_fraser
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