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Victor WangDreaming Away - Highly Textured Dream-like Painting with Surreal Nautical Theme2017
2017
$14,500
£11,000.58
€12,612.81
CA$20,656.11
A$22,416.97
CHF 11,794.85
MX$272,366.75
NOK 147,669.26
SEK 139,044.04
DKK 94,174.16
About the Item
Victor Wang's subject is a female seemingly caught in a contemplative moment yet a war rages behind her. She dons a hat shaped as a boat and carries and oar as if to "Dream Away" these other thoughts. Wang uses a blend of luminous colors and buttery textures to evoke these enigmatic moments of meditation. Influence by the Renaissance Masters Titian and Rembrandt for their glazing and layering techniques respectively, the artist builds the surface using heavy paint, swirling and mixing the color on the canvas. The end result is a poetic and emotionally powerful representation of the human form.
Victor Wang
Dreaming Away, 2017
oil on canvas
42h x 56w in
106.68h x 142.24w cm
VWG009
My path through life has been adventurous, exciting, and dream-like. My experience of settling into America in search of better opportunities has been both challenging and inspiring. I use the human face as a vehicle to paint human experiences - worry and wonder, sadness and pleasure - which reflect the emotional stage directly tied to my immigration experiences.
I grew up amongst the sunflower fields in northern China. In my childhood years, I played under the bright, yellow sunflowers with my brothers everyday. China’s Cultural Revolution played an important part in my life. During that time, sunflowers were used as political allegories to depict how citizens of China should follow Mao who represented the sun, since sunflowers follow the sun’s movements. People eventually inferred the deception that this symbol masked. After graduating from high school, I was sent to a labor camp in the country for ‘reeducation’ during China’s Cultural Revolution. There, I was subject to grueling farm work. Often, I worked in corn and sunflower fields from sunrise to sunset. Thus, for me, sunflowers evoke both personal joy and sadness. Therefore, to deliver my complex feelings, I use sunflowers as a metaphor to connote my background and emotional stage.
My incorporation of collages of figures from China’s Tang Dynasty represents my Chinese heritage and is a constant reminder of where I came from. The texture and earthiness on the canvas’s surface are inspired by the texture of the soil on the farm where I worked in China.
Although I often gain great pleasure from the process of painting, it is most important to unfold expressively those feelings within myself.
Wang belongs to a generation of immigrant painters from China, whose artistic background was defined by socialist realism but took advantage of their skills and broke away from that tradition to create new subjects in the U.S.
“When I was a student during Cultural Revolution, Soviet realism art was among the dominant source of influence and it grabbed us like lightening rod.”
That was a time when artistic expression was curtailed to suit political needs. Faced with limited freedom of choosing subject matters, many of them devoted energy to the development of painterly skills. Aspiring artists, frustrated by lack of formal training opportunities, built their artistic foundations by studying privately with masters outside of the mainstream.
“My recent paintings are based on my life in the two worlds. Increasingly I look into my roots for inspiration. I am particularly intrigued by human figurative expression. It has strong narrative rhythms. In paintings I constantly ask this question: how is this going to affect my perspective of the story?”
Wang’s “Life on the Edge” series centers on how distant culture, considered primitive by many, deals with forces of modern intrusions.
“Tibetans maintain strong spiritual connections to their past. They consider their present lives on earth are merely a stage along a cycle of journey that transcends age and time. I had direct observation on their devotion to their faith and their respect for nature. “
EDUCATION:
1988-1990 MFA (art studio) Department of Fine Arts, Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO
1988-1990 Visiting Scholar, (painting) School of Fine Arts, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
1987-1988 Visiting Scholar, (painting) School of Art and Design, University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, IL
1979-1983 BFA (oil painting) Department of Oil Painting, Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, China,
SELECTED SHOWS:
Solo Shows:
2017 Dec. Yu-Hsiu Museum of Art, Nantou, Taiwan
2016 Mar. Cinema Gallery, Urbana, IL
2014 Nov. Atrium Gallery, St. Louis MO
2013 Oct. Odon Wagner Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2011 Nov. Evan Lurie Gallery, Camel IN
2010 Nov Atrium Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2009 Nov. Odon Wagner Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2008 Jun. Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY
2007 Sep. Atrium Gallery,St. Louis, MO
2006 Nov. Odon Wagner Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2005 Dec. Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY
2004 Dec. Atrium Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2003 May. Cinema Gallery, Urbana, IL
2002 Oct. Mackey Gallery, Houston, TX
1999 Apr. Luna de 527 Gallery, Houston, TX
1997 May Elan Fine Arts Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
1996 May Elan Fine Arts Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
1995 Oct. Pompeii Gallery, Webster Groves, MO
1994 Dec. East Gallery, Taichung, Taiwan
May Theater Gallery of Meramec Community College, St. Louis, MO
1992 May Towato Gallery, Alton, IL
Jun. Gallery of Thomas Theological Seminary, Denver, CO
1991 Aug. Garret Gallery, St. Louis, MO
1988 May Art Studio Gallery, Urbana, IL
Group Show:
2016 Sofa Chicago 2016, Chicago IL
Art Palm Beach 2016, Palm Beach FL
L A Art Show 2016, Los Angeles CA
2015 Texas Contemporary Art Fair, Houston TX
The Affordable Art Fair, New York NY
Art Palm Beach 2016, Palm Beach FL
L A Art Show 2016, Los Angeles CA
2014 57th Mid-States Art Exhibition, Juror: Ephraim Rubenstein, Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science, Evansville IN
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
Art Hamptons, New York, NY
Group Show, Evoke Contemporary Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2013 Toronto International Art Fair 2012 Toronto, Canada
2012 Boston International Art Fair, Boston, MA,
Toronto International Art Fair 2012 Toronto, Canada
Houston Fine Art Fair, Houston, TX
San Francisco Fine Art Fair, San Francisco, CA
Jan. Art Palm Beach 2012, Palm Beach, FL
2011 Red Dot Art Fair Miami 2011, Miami, FL
Scope Miami 2011, Miami, FL
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
East Meets West, Murphy Hill Gallery, Chicago, IL
2009 Toronto International Art Fair 2009, Toronto, Canada
Art Chicago 2009, Chicago, IL
Palmbeach3, Palm Beach, FL
2008 Toronto International Art Fair 2008, Toronto, Canada
Art Miami 2006, Miami, FL
2007 Toronto International Art Fair 2006, Toronto, Canada
Art Miami 2006, Miami, FL
2006 Toronto International Art Fair 2006, Toronto, Canada
Art Chicago 2006, Chicago, IL
Art Miami 2006, Miami, FL
2005 "Re-presenting Representation VII" Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
Toronto International Art Fair 2005, Toronto, Canada
Chicago Contemporary & Classic 2005, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Art Miami 2005, Miami, FL
2004 Toronto International Art Fair 2004, Toronto, Canada
Art Miami 2004, Miami, FL
2003 Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY
2002 Home Grown, Atrium Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Honor Awards 2002, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
2001 50th Mid-States Art Exhibition, Evansville Museum of Art and Science, Evansville, IN
2000 Arousal, The Gallery on Washington St, St. Louis, MO.
1999 Faces of Art St. Louis, McElwain Fine Arts, St. Louis, MO
Art St. Louis XIV Exhibition, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
1998 Two Persons Show, Meramec Art Gallery. St. Louis, MO
1996 Art St. Louis XII Exhibition, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Figurative Paintings in St. Louis Today, Fontbonne University Gallery of Art, St. Louis, MO
1995 Artists Choose Artists, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Gender Gaze, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
1992 Art Competition, National Oil Painters' Society, Osage Beach, MO
1991 50th Annual National Juried Competitive Exhibition, Sioux City, IA
Art Wyoming 91, Casper, WY
Art Competition, National Oil Painters' Society, Osage Beach, MO
25th Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Exhibition, Corpus Christi, TX
1990 Realism Today, Museum of Art and Science, Evansville, IN
Portrait Competition 1990, St. Louis Artists' Guild, St. Louis, MO
HONORS & AWARDS:
2007 Sept. Scholar/Artist Award, Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO
2006 Dec. Finalist, The Artist's Magazine 23th Annual Art Competition
2001 Dec. An Award of Excellence, Art St. Louis XVII, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
2000 Dec. Bob and Sara Davies Merit Award, 50th Mid-States Art Exhibition, Evansville Museum of Art
and Science, Evansville, IN
1999 Sept. Award of Excellence Prize, Forte Cup 20th Century Asian Pacific Art Competition, Asian
Pacific Art Institute of America, Forte International Inc., Ellicott City, MD
1998 Dec. Governor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching 1998, Office of the Governor, Jefferson MO
1991 Apr. Second Prize in Drawing, 25th Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Exhibition,
Corpus Christi, TX
Jan. First Prize, Portrait Competition 1991, St. Louis Artists' Guild, St. Louis, MO
Apr. First Place in Oil Painting, 7th Annual Garret Gallery National Juried Exhibition, St. Louis, MO
1990 Jan. First Prize, Portrait Competition 1990, St. Louis Artists' Guild, St. Louis, MO
REVIEWS:
• Featured by Libro.Anuario Artelibre Arte Y Libertad VI, 2011
• Featured, “Poets/Artists” Feb. issue, 2011
• Article, "What Lies Beneath" American Art Collector, June Issue, 2008
• Edith Zimmerman, Article, "Buttery Texture, Luscious Color and Layers of History" American Artist,September Issue, 2007
• Nicholas Davis, A Review, "A True Cultural Revolutionary,"Toronto Sun, December 13, 2006
• Joshua Rose, A Review, "Wang's Large-than-life Impasto Paintings Express The Emotion And Passion of The Immigrant
Experience," American Art Collector, December Issue, 2005
• Teresa Callahan, A Review, "Wang's Exuberant Oil Paintings, Daher's Serene Pastels Share Billing in
Powerful Show at Clayton's Atrium Gallery," West End Word, Feb. 2005
• Gussie Fauntleroy, A Review, "Victor Wang: the Repercussions of Change," The Santa Fe New
Mexican, May 1997
• Carol Ferring Shepley, Article, "Victor Wang Reality and Dream Are the Same," Art St. Louis News
Letter, Vol. 11, No. 4, Winter 1997
• Edward Boccia, Article, "Victor Wang Pursues A Meaningful Reality," Journal of Art, Issue 2, 1996, China
• Kathleen McCloud, A Review, "Wang Mixes Western Methods with Eastern Ideas," The Santa Fe New
Mexican, May 24, 1996
• Betsy S. Goldman, Article, "Eastern Ideas, Western Methods," Oil Highlights Figures," January, 1996
• Edward Boccia, A Review, "Victor Wang's New Work," Artists, Issue 1, 1995, Taiwan
• Paul A. Harris, A Review, "Gallery Shows Work of Chinese Painter," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 4, 1992
• Betsy S. Goldman, Article, "Eastern Ideas, Western Methods," American Artist, May Issue, 1992
• Paul A. Harris, A Review, "Victor Wang's Paintings Are Studies in Contrasts," St. Louis Post-dispatch,
August 31, 1991
- Creator:Victor Wang (American)
- Creation Year:2017
- Dimensions:Height: 42.5 in (107.95 cm)Width: 56 in (142.24 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Framing:Framing Options Available
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: VWG0061stDibs: LU55439541482
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JHR009
John Hrehov
Education
1985 MFA-Painting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1981 BFA-Painting, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH.
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2017 John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Tom Thomas Gallery, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN.
2012 Shades from White to Black, New Drawings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY.
2011 John Hrehov: Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne.
2009 John Hrehov: A Survey 1999-2009 Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY.
Paintings and Drawings. Seerveld Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL.
2004 John Hrehov: Drawings and Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY.
2002 Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY.
2001 Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne.
John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL.
2000 The Picture Proper. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY.
Fearful Symmetry. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN.
Allegories in Contemporary Life. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY.
1999 Paintings and Working Drawings. Adams Hall Gallery, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL.
1998 John Hrehov. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY.
John Hrehov: Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL.
1997 Object Lesson, Paintings, and Drawings by John Hrehov. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY.
1995 John Hrehov. Trinity Art Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL.
1993 John Hrehov: Selected Works 1980-1992 Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne.
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2019 2019 Alumni Exhibition. Reinberger Gallery at The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH.
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1026 West Berry Street: The Fort Wayne Art School. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN.
2018 Artlink Regional Exhibition. Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN.
2017 Sola Grace-Faith-Scripture: An Exhibition of Sacred Visual Art. Good Shepherd Institute at Concordia Theological
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