Temple
By Michael Nguyen Finch
On view: September 30- October 24
Statement
Temple draws on the principles of sacred space from the Eastern and Western cultural cannons, inviting viewers into the dialogue between Finch’s Southeast Asian and Scandinavian heritage. This juxtaposition explores the differences in the cultural iconography as well as their corroborating narratives.
The paintings form an altar to Finch’s Southeast Asian heritage. The dragon embodies the forces of nature and the cosmos, representing the dynamic energy of life. The phoenix symbolizes renewal and rebirth, signifying hope and emerging life. The pairing of these heavenly forms relates to the duality referenced by the yin and yang symbol. A duality further explored through the symbolism of the sculptures. The foo dogs, or guardian lions, stand as protectors of sacred spaces. Simultaneously operating to establish the space as sacred while reflecting the trials of Vietnamese immigrants, alluding to Finch’s ancestry.
In contrast, the abstract sculptures of Madonna and Gabriel bring forth a narrative rooted in Western religious iconography, and a pairing omnipresent in the culture. Madonna represents maternal strength, while Gabriel symbolizes the bridging of realms. These meanings relate to Finch’s bridging of cultural iconography and the immigrant heritage of his maternal side. Additionally, this divine pairing mirrors that of the dragon and phoenix. The collective symbolism of the paintings and sculpture reflects the complex connections of a multicultural heritage.
The interplay between these elements explores the themes of culture and connection. Finch challenges the boundaries of cultural identity and provokes a deeper understanding of how these differing influences can coexist and enrich one another. Combining these iconographies into the shared space establishes a Temple of culture, contemplation, and coexistence.
Biography
Michael Finch 2002
Is a multidisciplinary artist based in St. Paul, MN. His work addresses immigration, heritage, and cultural evolution through high-contrast colors, bold forms, stylized mark-making, and new media. Finch works in a variety of techniques and mediums including steel fabrication, cardboard, stucco masonry, and contemporary abstraction, serving to embody the perspective of a second generation Vietnamese immigrant reestablishing cultural identity.