November 30 - January 31

Vietnamese-American artist Kenny Nguyen embarks on a personal journey through his new exhibition Chạm: Mapping Identity. In his hybrid forms of painting, sculpture, and installation, Nguyen utilizes silk as a metaphor for the transient nature of culture and selfhood. As strong and resilient as it is graceful and elegant, silk represents the fluidity and complexity of the quest for self-understanding.

About Sugarlift:

Sugarlift is one of the most innovative and fastest-growing platforms for contemporary art. We operate a gallery exhibition program, art consulting service and online art marketplace with the mission of supporting artists while bringing more contemporary art into the world. Established in 2014 as an art gallery in East Williamsburg, Sugarlift has since evolved into an expansive network, forging connections between a diverse roster of artists and a global clientele. Our brand embodies a commitment to excellence and accessibility in the contemporary art world, making us a go-to destination for artists and art enthusiasts alike.

About Kenny Nguyen:

Kenny Nguyen (b. 1993) is a Vietnamese-American artist based in Charlotte, NC. After graduating from Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture in 2010, Nguyen moved from Vietnam to the United States. Nguyen earned his BFA in Painting at the University of North Carolina, graduating in 2015. He found that breaking down silk, a luxurious and culturally significant material, acted as a symbol of regeneration, metamorphosis, and exploration of his identity as a Vietnamese-American artist. After ripping the strips of silk, the artist then dips each piece of fabric in acrylic paint and adheres them to the raw canvas by layering and molding the materials together. The forms are not permanent, and no two installations ever look the same. For Nguyen, the progression of silk from its original state to sculptural art is reflective of his own personal evolution.