Nurture by Linda Vang – student art exhibition at Sac State

It is always fun and interesting to see art student’s works of art, not only because they often experiment with different media but also that you might detect a forthcoming trend! Art major Linda Vang, a student at Sac State, is currently having an exhibition in the Witt Gallery at Sac State, and her works are mostly about exploring and capturing organic forms and connecting the aesthetics with her cultural heritage. Vang also explores the often elusive line between nature and culture in her work.

Linda Vang, "Set 5 Study", oil on panel, 2015. At Witt Gallery. Photo: Frida Berntson, 2016-02-17

Linda Vang, "Set 5 Study", oil on panel, 2015. At Witt Gallery. Photo: Frida Berntson, 2016-02-17

In the artistic world of Linda Vang I think of fantasy, saga and an otherworldly forest land. One of her works, called “Set 5 Study” made in the spring of 2015 draws a lot on organic natural forms and also color schemes that seem influenced by seasons or feelings. The four smaller sized oil paintings were made on a raw wood panel, and keeping the wood natural enhanced the natural vibe and added a new texture to the art which made it more interesting. Vang’s brushstrokes are both heavy, full of texture and delicate; making the organic forms come forward even more.

Linda Vang, "Large Study 1", oil on canvas, 2015. At Witt Gallery. Photo: Frida Berntson, 2016-02-17

The exhibition also showed a number of larger oil paintings, like “Large Study 1”, made in the fall of 2015. This painting made me think of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and fantasy video games; a play with organic forms with rich otherworldly colors. The motif almost looks like a utopian rainforest grove where some kind of scene could take place. The mixed color scheme of this artwork made it more engaging than for example the set studies, which mostly each had a homogeneous color scheme. The homogeneous colors made paintings like the ones in “Set 4 Study” harmonious and calming, especially the one with a mix of pinky mauves, dark purple, gray and a hint of green. The smaller paintings almost felt like if a rococo painting was mixed with fantasy art.

Linda Vang, "Set 4 Study", oil on canvas panel, 2015. At Witt Gallery. Photo: Frida Berntson, 2016-02-17

Linda Vang, detail of "Set 4 Study", oil on canvas panel, 2015. At Witt Gallery. Photo: Frida Berntson, 2016-02-17

The Witt Gallery at Sac State is a small but nice gallery, with white walls and a stone floor. I think it suits student art shows well, or an exhibition with fewer works. A weakness in Vang’s exhibition is that most works are very much alike, and isn’t that engaging. The works are pretty to look at and makes you think, but they don’t make you think as much as art maybe should. But who really decides what art should or shouldn’t be? In conclusion is Linda Vang’s exhibition “Nurture” a very well put together art show with a couple of recent works by the student. Her work makes you wonder about nature and organic forms that surround us all the time, but mostly it makes us enjoy the art of oil painting, the texture and the feeling of the materials which play into the organic vibe.

Me in front of Linda Vang's "Set 4 Study", at Witt Gallery. Photo: Linda Vang, 2016-02-17