Valerie Chua’s ‘Recent Works’ at Secret Fresh
MANILA, Philippines - Recent Works” is Valerie Chua’s first foray into fine-art painting.
“Still Life”
Prior to this, Chua (who graduated with a degree in Humanities) worked for several years as a fulltime illustrator for commercial clients without any formal education in an studio art. Using watercolor on paper as her main medium, she has garnered clients and collaborators such as Christian Louboutin (Asia), SK-II, Keds, French Sole, and Lenovo. Chua’s transition to large-scale painting stemmed from her three-month study at the New York Academy of Art in 2014. Her practice comprised of weeks of repeated figure study, without any requirement for the works to be finished.
In her solo show, Chua employs elements from pre-existing historical archive and applies them by selectively incorporating images into her studies. Her limited use of information and minute body language are designed to reveal a wider narrative to the viewer, and to elevate the latter’s potential to construct sensible knowledge based on the extracted image.
“Forbearance”
The results are “excerpts” — parts of paintings and sculptures that seem familiar to the viewer. A deviation from her earlier detailed works of flora, fauna, and the female form; her current practice is a reflection of her resistance to the compelling nature of finishing one’s work, and a reflection of the human mind to find significance in select parts instead of bigger narratives.
The exhibit, which is curated by Jason Montinola, will be held from Nov. 13 to 26 at Secret Fresh Gallery, Ronac Art Center, Ortigas Ave., San Juan, Metro Manila.
