Populated with hybrid characters, Will Thurman’s paintings reflect a disorienting state of existence; the deluge of storylines makes it difficult to tell which way is up. Thurman sends us tumbling through a parallel universe not quite distinct from ours, where the comedic blends with the downright bleak and sadistic. Many of his canvases contain paintings within paintings — mise en abyme that draw attention to the plethora of lenses through which a single story can be told — and retold, and retold. Thurman is meticulous in his expression; for the artist painting is disciplined, routine labor. Yet despite such control over his own practice, his artworks offer a singular freedom: to place oneself within his scenes, navigate the topsy-turvy landscape, and intervene in their happenings.
Will Thurman (born 1989, New York) received his academic training at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison in the U.S. After completing his studies in 2009, he moved to Vietnam and worked as a reporter for a local crime tabloid sometimes taking assignments in Cambodia where he also boxed semi-professionally. For over a decade, Vietnam was home to the artist.
Thurman is currently based in Tallinn, Estonia. ...
Recognized as Vietnam’s leading contemporary art gallery, Galerie Quynh has been promoting contemporary art practice in the country for over two decades. The gallery is known internationally for its consistently focused programming and educational initiatives. Working with a select group of emerging, mid-career and established Vietnamese artists, the gallery also exhibits the work of distinguished artists from around the world. In keeping with its mission to develop a sustainable ecosystem for the arts in Vietnam, the gallery collaborates with artists, curators, museums and art spaces locally and internationally to organize talks and lectures as well as to produce publications in English and Vietnamese. In May 2014 the gallery founded the not-for-profit educational initiative Sao La directed by artists Tung Mai and Nguyen Kim To Lan. Sao La has since evolved into an independent artist collective spearheaded by To Lan and Dalat-based artist Nguyen Duc Dat. In summer 2020 with support from the Goethe-Institut, the gallery launched the not-for-profit CáRô, an educational initiative that provides art education for students aged 13 – 18 who show demonstrative interest in the arts. ...
