Artist Heidi Nam’s mixed media and collage works explore the transient state of our rapidly changing urban spaces. Her perception of place is informed both by her cultural and personal experiences, and her artistic process itself mirrors the course of urban development. Her solo exhibit, “Netted: Morphological State of Our Urban Space,” will be featured at The Art League March 8–April 2, 2017.
Upon a trip home to Korea, Nam found her hometown completely changed by growth and development. New buildings and infrastructure had replaced the familiar. In some cases, modern construction and architecture had completely wiped out the old, yet, in other instances, new development was layered on top of what was. Fascinated by the rapid change and evolution of space, Nam grew interested in maps, nature, patterns, and grids, which all spilled into her artwork.
Nam’s artistic process itself reflects change. She begins by deconstructing her own printmaking pieces, paintings, and drawings. She uses fragments and variations from these various works and alters them to create new pieces with multiple layers and multiple meanings. Repetition, variation, and chance are core principles of her work. The layers in her artwork symbolize the constant evolution and change of space in our cities.
Nam began studying art in her native Korea at a young age. She received her BFA from the California College of the Arts and worked as a representational artist early in her career. Nam later received her MFA at the University of Pennsylvania. She grew interested in maps, patterns, and nature, which led to her most recent body of work. Nam has exhibited throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and won numerous awards for her work.
Gallery hours:
Monday–Saturday: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am–9:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 noon–6:00 pm
