Yaya Brown Nivia Hernandez Moyan Sun
Sheila Carr Mina Kim Kutay Tufekci
Boo Chen Korkimon/Melkorka Shu Zhang
Anqi Gu Ashlesha Sathe
Morgan Lehman Gallery is pleased to present Fragments of Being, an exhibition showcasing eleven artists from the School of Visual Arts Masters of Fine Arts program.
This group exhibition celebrates eleven artists from different backgrounds and practices. Curation of the show was developed through consideration of each artist’s perspective of Being and Functioning in the world. Fragments of Being is, therefore, defined by a common thread of self-reflection, as these artists use their practices to grapple with their existence and the interwoven personal aspects of family, home, identity, and the body. The School of Visual Arts MFA cohort under the guidance of artist and professor James O. Clark invites the public to contemplate their own ways of existing in our current time.
Yaya Brown, Anqi Gu, Korkimon, Moyan Sun, and Shu Zhang reference the body as one fragment of Being. Through a dynamic blend of drawing, photography, tape, and thread, Korkimon refers to their creations as ‘carcasses of intimacy,’ stitched back together and set into a dialogue of parallel play. Yaya’s artwork delves into the theme of humorous violence, depicted through painted narratives. Anqi Gu uses water-based pigments and oil pastels to evoke catharsis and acceptance, channeling the emotional depth of embodied memory. Moyan’s meditative and textured compositions explore the interplay between internal and external worlds, and Shu’s work feeds off themes like; intimate relationships, emotional tension, and daydreaming in relation to self.
Mina Kim, Nivia Hernandez, and Kutay Tufekci offer a space to consider how home and family is a part of one’s existence. All three artists' practices reimagine the image through a meditative process. Mina embraces slowness and connects both sculpture and painting to reflect on her journey leaving home. Nivia employs a multimedia labor intensive approach that honors the past and embodies both a spiritual quality and elevation. Kutay utilizes organic tears and rips in his paintings that occur in an action of removal.
Sheila Carr, Boo Chen, and Ashlesha Sathe examine identity. All three artists express self-identity and the world's perception of their identities through a multitude of media. Taking on the form of painting, installation, performance and sculpture, these artists use materials to physically bring the theme of identity to the viewer.
Fragments of Being confronts the fact that existing in this world is not an easy feat. Through fragmentation each artist contributes their individual struggle, and comes together to create a shared meditative space wherein we can all reflect on existence.