‘Burdened Dreams, Liberated Skies’

After captivating French art aficionados with her exhibition in Paris earlier this year, Vietnamese artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen is set to enchant audiences once again as she returns to the prestigious Almine Rech gallery, this time in Monaco, with her highly anticipated solo show, 'Burdening Dream'.

Administrator

20 December, 2024

The event is scheduled for December 10, 2024, to March 1, 2025, and promises to be a cultural highlight of the season.

Tia-Thuy Nguyen presents 18 captivating artworks, including 16 paintings and two sculptures, titled Burdening Dream. This exhibition marks the latest chapter in her captivating series of visual dialogues and playful interactions with light, now on display at Almine Rech Monaco.

The opening event was a star-studded affair, with Prince Albert II in attendance, alongside renowned figures from the art world, collectors, organizers, and friends from far and wide. They gathered to celebrate and honor the talented Vietnamese artist.

Among the notable guests was singer and artist Bono from the iconic band U2, painter Guggi, the founder of the Almine Rech gallery, businessman Patrice from Mareterra, and the former minister of state of Monaco. Each came to extend their congratulations and gratitude to Tia-Thuy Nguyen for her remarkable contributions over the past three years, culminating in her permanent installation dedicated to Monaco.

Prior to Burdening Dream, audiences were treated to Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s installation Drops of the Sun at Mareterra, a new complex in Monaco, and the Lady Cloud sculpture – a collaboration with Christian Dior Couture showcased in the Lady Dior As Seen By exhibition.

“I felt nervous before the event,” shared Tia-Thuy Nguyen, reflecting on the opening day of her second solo exhibition. “This is a monumental occasion for me, and standing before legends like Renzo Piano and Tadao Ando is both an honor and a tremendous pressure.”

Tia-Thuy Nguyen (left) and singer Bono of U2 at the ‘Burdening Dream’ exhibition in Monaco.

She added, “With the support of my family and friends, I was able to overcome my anxiety. This series of works represents a significant evolution in my practice, incorporating materials such as quartz, recycled glass, and dó paper, a traditional Vietnamese handmade craft.”

The exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the artist’s interpretation of a ‘sky,’ encouraging them to reflect on the nature of burdens and whether they are as heavy as they seem or as light as a playful interaction with light – gathering, reflecting, and amplifying.

“I hope that this sparkle serves as a stepping stone for all of us to confidently overcome life’s challenges,” Tia-Thuy Nguyen expressed, “and to find beauty and resilience in the midst of our struggles.”

Can the infinite sky ‘burden’ an artist’s dream?

The Burdening Dream collection is a breathtaking exploration of the vast sky, capturing its beauty through a myriad of hues and perspectives. Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s gaze seems to have absorbed the sky’s essence, infusing it into her creations.

Prince Albert II of Monaco appreciates an artwork at Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s ‘Burdening Dream’ exhibition.

In Across the Universe and Galaxy, viewers are treated to an intimate perspective of romantic pink clouds blended with a delicate mist. After the Rain offers a sweeping upward glance, revealing vibrant green landscapes and a sky dancing with pink, blue, and purple clouds. Get Away of Yesterday presents a breathtaking sunset over the azure sea, where light erupts in a final brilliant display before nightfall.

These clouds also reflect the artist’s emotional states. Breakthrough of the Feeling, In the Middle of Nowhere, Just Own the Night, and Tension so Intense are raw expressions of inner struggles and profound contemplations.

“Have I burdened my own dream by forcing myself to become something I aspire to be?” Tia-Thuy Nguyen ponders. “Or is my dream of the clouds so heavy that it cannot move?”

‘Off On a Journey’ artwork by Tia-Thuy Nguyen.

Innovating with Glass

In a bold move, Tia-Thuy Nguyen introduces glass as a new material in this collection, replacing the natural stones she typically uses with shards of glass bottles. Despite the challenges of working with glass, which is less forgiving than quartz and more prone to causing injuries, she has mastered this medium to create striking contrasts in her artwork.

Her signature style shines through with the incorporation of traditional techniques such as paper crafting, embellishment, and watercolor painting, while light remains a pivotal element, illuminating her works and bringing them to life.

‘Counterweight to the Sky’ artwork by Tia-Thuy Nguyen.

A Window into the Artist’s Soul

The artworks on display in Monaco offer a rare glimpse into the innermost thoughts of Tia-Thuy Nguyen. They are a testament to her dreams, inner strength, and the more complex facets of her creative journey. The incorporation of tiny figures nestled among the clouds symbolizes the fragile balance between the struggle for freedom and the weight of expectations.

These clouds, seemingly light and ethereal, carry the weight of stone, reflecting the inherent contradictions and challenges that artists face in their pursuit of creative expression.

‘Across the Universe and Galaxy’ artwork by Tia-Thuy Nguyen.

Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s exhibition is more than just a collection of artworks; it is a mantra for the future, immersing viewers in a dreamlike world while celebrating resilience and perseverance. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of storms, the sky will shine again, reflecting her own inspiring and determined creative path.

The 18 artworks are showcased in two rooms of the prestigious Almine Rech Monaco art gallery, following the success of her previous exhibition, Sparkle in the Vastness, at Almine Rech Paris.