FOON SHAM:
PERSISTENCE IN COLOR AND FORM
October 21st - December 2nd, 2023
Foon Sham, one of America's foremost contemporary artists, delights us with a new body of sculpture and works on paper in his fourth exhibition at gallery neptune & brown.
Foon's preparation for Persistence in Color and Form began in early 2020. Alone in his studio during the pandemic, Foon reflected and reached new heights of creativity. He introduced vibrant, uplifting colors in his sculptures in order to counteract the isolation experienced during the uncertainty of the pandemic. Foon creates his architectonic sculptures by meticulously assembling wood pieces after extensive planning, merging the artistry of sculpture with the engineering of architecture. In line with his dedication to conserving natural resources, Foon utilizes wood fragments for his creations—re-purposing fallen trees and discarded lumber. Describing his new body of sculptures, Sham remarks, “My enduring affection for wood as a medium remains. Diverging from my previous work, I have incorporated a heightened emphasis on carving within the creative process, aiming to showcase an increased level of intricacy and detail."
For this exhibition, Foon was influenced by observations during his travels to Patagonia, the Iguazu Falls in Argentina, Antelope Canyons in Arizona and Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona. Concurrently, Sham created a large outdoor sculpture for the 2023 Architectural Biennial in Venice, Italy, which is on view through November 26, 2023. Foon Sham's illustrious international career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the arts. Born in Macao, China, in 1953, he earned a BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts, as well as an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently a tenured Professor of Art at the University of Maryland. Foon has exhibited and has held residencies all over the world including Barcelona, Spain; Auvillar, France; Shanghai, China; Melbourne, Australia; Santiago, Chile; and throughout the United States of America.
