Art
#acrylic painting #hands #Malisa Suchanya #painting #portraits
“Felicia.” All images © Malisa Suchanya, shared with permission
In vivid pinks, reds, greens, and blues, Oakland-based artist Malisa Suchanya renders the expressive outlines of hands immersed in floral and ornamental patterns. Interested in painting the human figure, she began focusing on appendages specifically during the pandemic, sharing that she “found deep love and satisfaction in trying to convey emotions and reflect relationships through the various arrangements, compositions and entanglements. She then participated in the permanent exhibition of Var Gallery 30x30x30 project, which invites artists to create 30 works of art in 30 days each January, stimulating creativity at the start of the new year.
“I know very well that it is projects like these that harbor an incredible environment for growth, and that was exactly what it was for me,” says Suchanya. Forced to complete one painting a day, she spends about five hours on each work, plus an hour or two preparing for the next. “During the month, I noticed that my painting technique had changed a lot. It became a bit more time efficient and I was layering my colors with more confidence and ease…and it became almost meditative.
Suchanya has curated three sub-series within the collection, including portraits of hands belonging to people who had a profound effect on her throughout her life, reflections on being with others, and his cultural identity and upbringing in Singapore. Hands blossom from floral arrangements in the series of portraits and are titled with the names of individuals, while writhing and fluttering limbs against a black background form a whole exploring the nuances of relationships. And looking at her Chinese, Indonesian and Thai heritage, it has included examples of hand-framed colorful traditional masks.
Throughout the year, Suchanya attends artist markets and fairs across the country, including San Jose Made, updates of which you can find on her website and Instagram. She will also have a solo exhibition at the Mom and Pop Art Shop in Point Richmond, California later this year, and 30x30x30 continues at the Var Gallery in Milwaukee until June 4.
“I lean for you”
Left: “May”. Right: “Red Demon Mask”
Installation view, image courtesy of Var Gallery
“Black Kitsune”
Left: “Thai mask”. Right: “I’m leaning on you”
“Hana”
“We do not agree”
“Chinese Opera Mask”
“Malisa”
” We are well “
#acrylic painting #hands #Malisa Suchanya #painting #portraits
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a colossal member today and support independent art publishing for as little as $5 a month. You’ll connect with a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, read ad-free articles and newsletters, support our interview series, get discounts and early access to our print versions limited edition, and much more. Join now!
