Susie Wong's Mediated Drawings at ArtReview
In her December 2014 feature in ArtReview, Susie Wong redefines conventional drawing by incorporating archival photographs traced with a lightbox, resulting in a mechanical aesthetic similar to Gerhard Richter. The exhibition displays three distinct series: landscapes inspired by Javanese and Sumatran imagery alongside quotes from Joseph Conrad, two pieces depicting cherry blossoms, and five large-scale portraits of her elderly father. One standout work, created in 2012, draws directly from Conrad's 1899 novella "Heart of Darkness," exploring colonial themes through an intricate interplay of precision and the nuanced flaws intrinsic to human artistry.
Key facts
- Susie Wong's drawings were reviewed in the December 2014 issue of ArtReview.
- Wong traces enlarged archival images off a lightbox instead of drawing from life.
- Her marks resemble mechanical reproduction, like an inkjet printer.
- The exhibition includes Javanese/Sumatran landscapes with Conrad quotes, cherry blossoms, and images of her father.
- 'The sun was fierce, the land seemed to glisten and drip with steam' (2012) features a landscape obscured by steam with a quote from Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'.
- Pencil-type numbers jotted on drawings indicate the hand's irregularities.
- 'Weightless' (2012) comprises five near-lifesize images of her father from multiple angles.
- John Berger's description of Van Gogh's drawings as acts of devotion is used to contextualize Wong's work.
Entities
Artists
- Susie Wong
- Gerhard Richter
- Vincent van Gogh
- John Berger
Institutions
- ArtReview