The June Kelly Gallery in Soho is currently presenting a series of recent paintings by Su-Li Hung for the exhibition River, Tree, Buddha. As the title of the show suggests, Hung’s paintings revolve around the Buddha’s teachings and philosophies.
Hung seeks to capture how important Buddhist practices can be, especially in turbulent times. The most striking work in the show is Golden Buddha which is an up-close portrait of the Buddha’s face conveying his wisdom and peaceful ways with the calmness in his eyes and his placid expression.
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| "Golden Buddha" (2014) by Su-Li Hung |
Another notable work is Pink Cherry Tree which resembles a stained glass window where a bare tree is seen stretching out her many branches can be seen against a multi-colored background where pink is the dominant color. Similarly, Gingko Tree depicts a bare tree with scarcely thin branches against a gold background.
The trees in Hung’s paintings refer to a Bodhi tree under which the Buddha is believed to have sat under waiting for enlightenment in the sixth century B.C. She also illustrates the life cycle of the trees as it sheds its leaves in the fall and blooms its flowers again in the springtime. “The tree grows, leaves come, go, and return, evoking for me new inspiration with each season,” she says. Hung also illustrates the rivers as constantly, but calmly flowing day and night with works titled River.
At The June Kelly Gallery, 166 Mercer St., through Jan. 20th. The gallery is open Tues.—Sat. from 11 a.m.—6 p.m.
