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Tag: Joanne Nam

Joanne Nam’s oil paintings often focus on females or animals against desolate, wooded backdrops. Each stares off in contemplation, with Nam’s single-word titles often offering context with descriptors like “Lucid,” “Numb,” or “Belong.” Her recent works are even more dreamlike, blending in touches of gold leaf. Nam was last featured on HiFructose.com here.
Netherlands based Joram Roukes and Los Angeles based Joanne Nam are two artists who look to nature for their inspiration, but in strikingly different ways. Previously featured on our blog, Joram Roukes's inspiration generally comes from elements of animals, which he combines with his everyday experiences in a collage-like way. Joanne Nam, whom we featured in Hi-Fructose Vol. 29, however looks at it through the filter of her childhood, spent growing up near forests. They each debuted a new series at Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles last Saturday night, Roukes with "American Ornithology, and Nam with "Hiatus".
Andrew Hem (HF Vol. 21 cover artist) makes his curatorial debut tomorrow with "Ill Squad!", a group exhibition of his fellow artists at Giant Robot gallery. Throughout his career, Hem has shed a light on his favorite artists in another way, in his lush and colorful paintings. Among his subjects are those who inspire him creatively, which he portrays either at work in their studio or on some fantastical adventure. At his solo exhibition last year, "Dream but Don't Sleep" (covered here), Hem shared with us his ongoing enthusiasm for garnering a public interest in his friends' work. Nearly all of the artists in his "squad" stem from an illustration background, but together their works are eclectic and showcase a variety of media.
Around this time in 2005, Thinkspace gallery opened its doors in Los Angeles and gave many now-notable Contemporary artists their first big breaks. Several have graced the covers and pages of Hi-Fructose print and online- Audrey Kawasaki, Stella Im Hultberg, Natalia Fabia, Kukula, Andrew Hem, Fuco Ueda, and countless more. Rainy and freezing weather last Saturday didn't stop the entire "familia" from turning out to celebrate Thinkspace's 10 year anniversary (previewed here). The show boasts their 115 paintings on 10"x10" panels (nearly, all of which sold) provided by Trekell art supplies. Check out our photos after the jump!

In ten years, Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City has accumulated quite the family- over 100 artists strong. Commemorating their 10th anniversary, opening January 10th, their artists will come together for an unprecedented group show. Featured here are contributions by Troy Lovegates, So Youn Lee, Keita Morimoto, Scott Listfield, Mark Dean Veca (Vol. 23), Dalek aka James Marshall (Vol. 15), Brett Amory (Vol. 20), Ryan Hewett, Kwon Kyung-yup (Vol. 24), Henrik Aa. Uldalen (Vol. 24 cover artist) and Sarah Joncas.

Thinkspace gallery redefines the word 'FRESH' with their latest group exhibition of the same name, opening this Saturday. Featuring new works by some of their favorite Contemporary artists, the show promises to not only show off their talents, it's also a glimpse into their state of creativity and growth.  Among the participants are Joanne Nam (covered here), Alex Yanes, Ariel DeAndrea, Erica Rose Levine, Kikyz 1313 and Matthew Grabelsky, featured here. 
Los Angeles-based Korean artist Joanne Nam paints softly colored girls posed awkwardly in a blend of realism and surrealism. A city girl and self described horror movie-aficionado with a childhood spent near Korea’s lush forests, Nam is also an artist that paints from experience. Her studio is her safe haven from the outside world, decorated with family photos, reference books, and personal work she attends to between exhibitions. Nam's recent artwork explores a darker side hidden from those who know her. In this exclusive interview, we talk about her process and what inspires her.

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