Thao Nguyen Phan : Becoming Alluvium

Chisenhale Gallery presents Becoming Alluvium, the first solo exhibition in a UK institution by Ho Chi Minh City-based artist Thao Nguyen Phan.

The exhibition continues Phan’s ongoing research on the Mekong River, which runs through Tibet, China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Composed of two elements—a single-channel film and a series of lacquer and silk paintings—the works simultaneously explore real and imaginary worlds.

The video installation tells stories of destruction, reincarnation and renewal in three chapters, centred around the ebb and flow of the Mekong River. Combining self-shot footage, animation and found imagery, the work weaves narratives concerning industrialisation, food security and ecological sustainability with folklore and myth.

The accompanying series of paintings titled Perpetual Brightness, made in collaboration with artist Truong Cong Tung, further uncovers the cultural, agricultural and economic significance of the river. The watercolour on silk paintings depict characters in various states—from insects playing musical instruments to a young boy caressing an endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.

The exhibition maps the past, present and future of the Mekong River, questioning what Phan describes as a "state of collective amnesia" in relation to the threat posed by the excessive consumption of the Earth’s resources.

Becoming Alluvium is 16 minutes and 40 seconds long and is screened every 20 minutes from 12pm. The last screening of the day starts at 5:40pm.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the gallery via an online booking system and have new health & safety measures in place for the welfare of staff and visitors. For more information please click here.

Exhibition Events

Thursday, November 12, 12.30pm GMT/7:30pm ICT
Thao Nguyen Phan in conversation with Zoe Butt

Thao Nguyen Phan is joined in conversation by Zoe Butt to discuss Phan's new commission at Chisenhale Gallery. Zoe Butt is a curator, writer and Artistic Director of The Factory Contemporary Art Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

This event will take place online via Zoom. Further details will be announced on our website soon.

Biography:
Thao Nguyen Phan lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Selected exhibitions include: Monsoon Melody, WIELS Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels (2020); Becoming Alluvium, Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona; Hugo Boss Asia Art Award for Emerging Asian Artists, The Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai; Leaving the Echo Chamber, Sharjah Art Biennale 14 (all 2019); A Beast, a God and a Line, Dhaka Art Summit, Bangladesh, Para Site, Hong Kong and Museum of Contemporary Art, Warsaw (2018); and Poetic Amnesia, the Factory Contemporary Art Centre, Ho Chi Minh City (2017). She is the recipient of the Han Nefkens Foundation – LOOP Video Art Award 2018.
 

Becoming Alluvium is produced and commissioned by Han Nefkens Foundation in collaboration with: Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona; WIELS Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels; and Chisenhale Gallery. The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated publication, co-published by the exhibition partners, the Han Nefkens Foundation and Mousse Publishing.

Lead Supporter: Shane Akeroyd. Thao Nguyen Phan's exhibition is produced with support from the Chisenhale Gallery Commissions Fund. With additional support from The Elephant Trust. With thanks to Galerie Zink Waldkirchen. The Talks and Events Programme 2020 is supported by Brian Boylan and forms part of Chisenhale Gallery’s Engagement Programme. Chisenhale Gallery's Schools’ Programme in collaboration with Artis is supported by Goodman Gallery.

Chisenhale Gallery
Registered charity number 1026175