By Maxwell Rubenstein
“Untitled”- Nicole Leung
In the Studio Art room, many beautiful paintings cover the paint splattered walls. However, noticeably, an obscure painting hangs adjacent to the aluminum sink. The painting, which is untitled, shows pale white hands grasping some red, oozing object. At first, one might assume they are looking at a heart, but upon closer examination there is room for doubt that inspires a deeper curiosity into the artist’s intention and what truly lies within these hands. The painting (shown above) is that of junior Nicole Leung. To those who don’t know her well, Leung’s introverted personality and graciousness completely contradict her art. Leung often has trouble verbally expressing her feelings for fear that others will think they are not valid. This grappling of emotions enhances the intensity portrayed in her paintings. Leung paints what “speaks to her,” and has not yet figured out how to define her artwork. Studio Art teacher James French aims to help Leung define her own style of art.
“Nicole’s work is always slightly dark–not value-wise like light and shadow–but instead in its tone,” French said. Since 2014, French has noticed Leung using a greater range of colors, materials, and techniques. She gains inspiration from artists like Shintaro Kago and Suehiro Maruo in the Ero guro movement (Ero guro: ero from “ero(tic),” and guro from “gro(tesque)).
The artists in this movement illustrate eroticism, sexual corruption, and decadence through their work. Leung continuously tries to distinguish her own style of art while taking influences from artists within this movement. She does not consider her style as consisting of only Ero guro, but does say she has taken many influences from these works. Leung intensifies the characters she draws, depicting gory and cynical images with sensual scenes usually involving blood and gore. People often have negative reactions to her work, saying that the dark and grotesque nature makes them feel uncomfortable. This feeling of discomfort expresses exactly what Leung wants her viewers to feel.
“I’m not comfortable with anything at all. I like the idea of people being uncomfortable,” Leung says. “Having them experience the same discomfort I do in the world.” She wants society to embrace the way they feel looking at her work and understand that this discomfort should help observers understand the experiences she is going through.
“I find art to be very therapeutic, it helps me cope with everything I feel towards the world around me,” Leung said. Leung’s relationship with art is like that of a psychologist and a patient. She confronts the issues she is dealing with and illustrates them onto the canvas. Her strong connection with art will help her continue to grow both as an individual and artist, she says. The work that Leung is creating now, in addition to the support she has from her peers and older artists, starts her journey to becoming a well-developed and established artist.
“Nicole is a fantastic young artist who could undoubtedly succeed at any level of the arts. She is gifted and incredibly hard working. The sky is the limit,” French said