In his recent works, Hom Nguyen used thousands of lines to compose implicit facial expression, this unique method, close to auto-writing becomes his signature in communicating with the world.
Hom Nguyen invite us to continue examining his research on self identification of immigrants, and their integration in the society in his new solo exhibition «Inner Cry» . Missing mouths makes the characters’ facial expression, who appears t be crying, ambiguous; provides the audience an alternative to read the works. We can not make a definitive judgment on whether the characters are crying out of genuine happiness, or depression or sadness. The black-and-white characters from his previous series « Sans Repères » are now colorful in « Inner Cry »; the firm looks and sealed lips are now brave cries. These transformations are testimony of the continuous observation of society and his subtle personal experience as a second generation Vietnamese immigrant.
The crossing lines in his works can be interpreted as the communication and collaboration of different races and social clusters. The colors represent the positive anticipation of a better future.
The artist free his emotions to maximum in this series of energetic yet lyric paintings. Through application of charcoal, oil, pastel and ink, he interrogates the dynamic of material and lines. Charcoals, with its ability of detailed variations accentuate the false abstract artist created through lines, lead the audience to dig deeper in to the real figures hidden under.
Is there a relationship between « Sans Repères » and « Inner Cry » ? Both come from inner emotions and are facial expressions are the common vocabulary. Facial expressions are especially strong in times when human need to communication but fail to express verbally. Human need to defuse their emotions through facial expressions. « Inner Cry » represent not only the release momentary, but a start of the path of self acknowlegement and self expression.