Winnie Truong is exhibiting her Curious Nature at the Contemporary Calgary from April 10 to Aug. 25.
A Toronto-based artist uses tools like penknives, scissors and coloured pencils to craft her detailed works.
According to Winnie Truong’s website, her art blends nature and feminine figures into fantastical scenes reminiscent of fairy-tale books and shadow puppets. Truong’s works often explore themes of nature, identity and feminism, examining the relationships between them.
"All this, for me, makes the need all the more potent to respond with output that is beautiful, complicated, and of the female experience," said Truong in a CBC report.
Human-nature relationship: Winnie Truong's artwork, Flower Wall, was photographed on July 6, 2024, at Contemporary Calgary. Truong uses paper and pencil to shape her dreams. Her Curious Nature exhibition runs from April 10 to August 25. (Photo by Jiaqi Su/The Press)
Nature and female figures
From Georgia O'Keeffe's floral masterpieces to Frida Kahlo's self-portraits, the similarity between plant forms and human bodies makes this theme compelling. Flowers and plants frequently appear in art history, especially in feminist works.
O'Keeffe's abstract and close-up flowers let viewers see the beauty and complexity of nature from a new perspective. Kahlo's work often incorporates elements of the natural world, using them as symbols to express personal experiences, like pain, strength and identity.
These artists paved the way for contemporary artists like Truong, who continue to explore the relationship between nature and femininity in art.
Truong’s artworks feature imagery of reproduction and growth, using the blooming of flowers, seeds and fruits as metaphors.
“Nature and women have the ability to procreate,” said Eglantina Miranda, a gallery attendant at Contemporary Calgary.
Also, the harmonious colour palettes often have a soft tone, giving her art a gentle feminine feel.
Truong's unique approach
The exhibition features four sections: paper dioramas, sculptures, stop-motion animation and a digital video displayed in a dark room, providing an immersive experience into Truong's artistic world.
In her works, Truong minimizes the depiction of human facial features, creating a sense of universality in her characters. This approach allows for broader relatability and interpretation, making her art for more people to understand and enjoy and gain a wider audience.
What sets her artworks apart is she broke the traditional 2D boundaries and turned them into 3D forms using simple materials.
“She's worried about climate change and feminism,” said Miranda, explaining the reason chose paper and pencils as material, which are more accessible and sustainable.
Truong uses layers of hand-cut paper to create depth and dimension. This allows her to create shadows and highlights that change as viewers move around the pieces.
By combining human body parts with plant elements through these layers, she tries to blur the boundaries between the two, highlighting the connection between humans and nature.
“It’s like the skin peeling off,” said Lizzy Violet, a visitor, commenting on an artwork named Gentle Snares. She says she can't differentiate between plant and skin, making the artwork more unique and thinkable.
In Truong’s stop-motion animations, she brings paperwork to life. The animations explore themes of growth, transformation and the connection of humans and nature. The patience and craftsmanship required for stop-motion animation reflects Truong’s dedication to art expression.
It is worth mentioning that the exhibition's flower wall grows with each new venue, symbolizing continuous growth and change.
“If this exhibition goes to a new gallery, she’s gonna put something new and growing and growing because that’s the process she wants to express,” said Miranda.
Curious Nature: Winnie Truong's sculptures stand in the center of the exhibition space at Contemporary Calgary, photographed on July 6, 2024. Truong's Curious Nature exhibition runs from April 10 to August 25. (Photo by Jiaqi Su/The Press)
Modern relevance
While the themes may seem familiar, Truong's work is highly relevant to contemporary society.
She highlights feminism and environmentalism, combined with her identity as a female artist, making her work special. It aligns with current trends and can attract a wide audience.
In today’s context, where discussions about gender, identity and the environment are increasing. Truong’s work offers a thoughtful and visually engaging contribution to these conversations.
With Derek Liddington’s exhibition sharing the same space. The gallery offers an exploration of the human-nature relationship from different perspectives. Liddington's large-scale paintings and irregular canvases provide an immersive experience, contrasting with Truong’s delicate paper works.
Both exhibitions will run until Aug. 25 at Contemporary Calgary.