New York, NY- VillageOneArt Gallery embraced the solo exhibition titled "Memory Deluge" by artist Xiangni Song, which debuted on July 6. Xiangni Song has become a notable figure in the North American fine art realm in recent years, with many of her pieces finding new homes across various galleries in a short span of time. Her artwork shone brilliantly during the globally renowned spring break, earning accolades from numerous art critics like Julia Curl and prestigious publications such as artnet Observer Magazine. Known for her whimsical style, Song excels in portraying objective physical spaces alongside rich inner worlds. These seemingly loose brush strokes, however, meticulously sketch lively and delicate character portrayals.
Established in 2018, VillageOneArt Gallery, a contemporary art space cofounded by Vivienne Yang and Christy Qin, nestles in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. The gallery showcases works from local and international artists of diverse backgrounds. With a mission to explore the boundless realms of human imagination through expansive and innovative mediums, VillageOneArt acts as a vital bridge between art and the public sphere, reflecting the ever-evolving spirit of today's era. Each exhibition aims to spark dialogues about the present and culture, inviting audiences to engage in thought and discussion. Within a few days of its opening, several pieces from Song's exhibition were favored by buyers, with the artwork titled "One Absent" selling for over $6,000.
In Song's oeuvre, commonplace family scenes often ascend to more imaginative visual spaces. For instance, in her piece "Yellow Raincoat," a crouching subject is enveloped in abstract, Impressionist-like mist and rain. With a refined yet casual painting style paired with soft gem tones, the artist creates a surreal yet lifelike whimsical realm.
Yellow Raincoat, Oil on canvas, 40 x 30 in (101.6 x 76.2cm)，2022
Song leverages her artwork to reflect various states of existence, scrutinizing personal identity and dreamscapes within today's societal framework. She seeks inspiration from the world around us, employing rational intuition as an analytical tool while enriching her visuals with mystical sensory experiences, ultimately converging into a tangible, interwoven flood of memories.
This solo exhibition offers a plethora of intriguing and playful works, providing a fresh perspective for a new generation of artists, especially in character painting, thereby contributing significantly to the educational aspect of the art domain. In " One Absent," a friend gathers around a "three missing one" Mahjong game. Through diverse distorted character forms, expressive facial interactions among players, and their slightly inappropriate physical distances, the tense atmosphere of the card game permeates the room, vividly presenting itself to the audience. Song mentioned, "These characters and spaces are not entirely accurate, with a slight deviation from reality." However, by incorporating surrealistic elements, the inherent realistic aspects of the painting emerge more clearly, defining a novel artistic style.
