Wendy Park’s Tender Paintings Activate Childhood Memories


7 August 2022
Wendy Park’s Tender Paintings Activate Childhood Memories 1
Wendy Park, Tiger Balm Register (2022) (detail). Acrylic on canvas. 182.9 x 152.4 cm. Courtesy Various Small Fires.
Wendy Park’s Tender Paintings Activate Childhood Memories 2
Wendy Park, Tiger Balm Register (2022) (detail). Acrylic on canvas. 182.9 x 152.4 cm. Courtesy Various Small Fires.
Wendy Park’s Tender Paintings Activate Childhood Memories 3
Wendy Park, Tiger Balm Register (2022) (detail). Acrylic on canvas. 182.9 x 152.4 cm. Courtesy Various Small Fires.
Wendy Park’s Tender Paintings Activate Childhood Memories 4
Wendy Park, Tiger Balm Register (2022) (detail). Acrylic on canvas. 182.9 x 152.4 cm. Courtesy Various Small Fires.

Korean-American artist Wendy Park presents a series of new work in a solo exhibition at Various Small Fires in Los Angeles. Off The Clock features ten paintings and an augmented reality experience that reimagines intimate memories from Park's childhood.

Influenced by memories of her childhood in L.A. in the 1980s and 90s, growing up as the daughter of Korean immigrants, her highly stylised canvases bring into focus the familial routines of her parents as working-class vendors in Southern California's indoor commerce culture.

Park's vibrant paintings portray everyday objects like a jar of Tiger Balm next to a cash register, or a bottle of soju beside loose lemons. By depicting familiar yet ordinary objects, Park reflects on the moments of rest her parents caught between their busy workdays.

The artist's colourful compositions capture the importance of memory and the ways in which it can be used to commemorate familial figures and alter our perception of the everyday.

Park studied her BFA at the Otis College of Art and Design in LA. Her work has been featured in exhibitions at various galleries and arts institutions including Bill Brady Gallery in Miami, Kantor Gallery in Los Angeles, and Over The Influence Gallery in Seoul.

Park lives and works in Los Angeles, California.


More in Advisory Picks

Find in Advisory Picks

No results found.
Ocula discover the best in contemporary art icon.
Follow Wendy Park
Stay ahead.
Receive updates on new artworks,
exhibitions and articles.
Your personal data is held in accordance with our privacy policy.
Follow
Do you have an Ocula account?
Ocula discover the best in contemporary art icon.
Get Access
Join Ocula to request price and availability of artworks, exhibition price lists and build a collection of favourite artists, galleries and artworks.
Do you have an Ocula account? Login
What best describes your interest in art?

Subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming exhibitions, available works, events and more.
By clicking Sign Up or Continue with Facebook or Google, you agree to Ocula's Terms & Conditions. Your personal data is held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Thank you for joining us. Just one more thing...
Soon you will receive an email asking you to complete registration. If you do not receive it then you can check and edit the email address you entered.
Close
Thank you for joining us.
You can now request price and availability of artworks, exhibition price lists and build a collection of favourite artists, galleries and artworks.
Close
Welcome back to Ocula
Enter your email address and password below to login.
Reset Password
Enter your email address to receive a password reset link.
Reset Link Sent
We have sent you an email containing a link to reset your password. Simply click the link and enter your new password to complete this process.
Login