Gentle Mist

Tutu Gallery is delighted to announce group exhibition Gentle Mist showcasing interdisciplinary works of thirteen artists primarily based in New York and Baltimore. With mediums spanning from delicate charcoal drawings to more concrete but equally transient usage of wood and ceramics, each artist beckons us into a realm where nonspecific yields to a moment of ambered fluidity, via glimpses into dreams, the days passing, and the tenderness of memory.

Curated by artists Seung-Jun Lee and Sha Luo, Gentle Mist makes a deliberate dance with ambiguity that unfolds as a compelling narrative interweaving the distinctive expressions of these artists, several debuting their practices in New York City. This dance captures the passage of their experience into a humble and tangible expression, proposing that clarity often emerges from the absence of rigid frameworks. It is in this fertile ambiguity that we find the freedom t take on decisive paths, both on the canvas of art and in the unfolding of life.

Some offer this wisdom through the soft power of remembrance. Siyu Chen’s two graphite and ink drawings on handmade paper bring to life tiny moments from the past that cross over to her way of expression in the present, such as the trees she encountered during a trip upstate and childhood memories of playing string games. The two monochrome paintings by Char Russell Martinez translate feelings of uncertainty and curiosity from her life to a visual gathering of brushstrokes that underscore the movement found in the stillness of time. Meanwhile, artist Quinn Russo employs the instinctive process of mark-making on small-scale vintage paper to evoke shapes that carry personal significance and intimacy. Through the casting and reassembling of the six sides of a box that once store items belonging to their father, Francie Seidl Chodosh’s sculpture bears testament to the process of reconstruction—an ideal representation of memory rather than an accurate depiction of the object itself.

In a journey into their subconscious, Ara Ko’s large-scale painting embraces intangible concepts, transforming them into sculptural renderings that reflect the intricacies of an inside self, half physical, half mental. Continuing the path, Sang Eun’s photographic print on traditional paper depicts a bare landscape with a solitary tree, echoing th meditative impression gained from nature and its similarity to the psyche.

Artists in the exhibition also establish personal connections to add layers and significance to their chosen mediums, however rudimentary they might be deemed in the traditional art training. Se Young Yim's kinetic sculptures contain the use of raw matter and subtle mutations to obscure and, paradoxically, unveil the essence of a cluster of moving people. Conversely, Emily Lucas selects and transforms everyday objects into idols that resonate deeply with the modern-day girl. Yuhan Shen harnesses the capacity of simple machinery, leading a surface to create actual ice in th warm air. Juxtaposing elements from different stages and properties of formation, the artist creates a composition that invites contemplation on the interplay between transient and permanent states.

Many artists invented or reinvented works that activate our perceptions of the interior and exterior. Through the placement of Room Divider by Ty Powlowski, the seemingly collapsed sculpture creates fluid boundaries for the living and kitchen space, nudging on the line between art deco and sculpture. By seamlessly bringing the outdoors indoors, Yuhan Hu builds a natural bridge, using found objects from the backyard. As we venture towards the spatial threshold, we see Titi’s collection of illusive photo work and experimental photography that suggests a surreal path leading to the backyard. Terence Mulligan’s site-specific outdoor installation starts with hand-painted rock pieces
on an insinuated path to an aerial device on a tree, serving as a lens through his artistic vision.

No prescribed path, but a direction. We hope to leave you with droplets on your shoulder, rather than a drenched
coat.

Seung-Jun, Sha & April
3.18.2024