Khue Nguyen

Khue Nguyen’s work focuses primarily on lyrical abstraction containing two separate strands. The first strand explores lyrical abstraction. The second strand explores the body through the medium of dance. In relation to the first strand in his work which is lyrical abstraction through colours and movements, his intention is to use colours to convey moods, at the same time to reflect on personal adventure to the subconscious through meditation. The most important components in this body of work are the sense of space, pace, sensation, internal conflict, musicality and imagination. In relation to the second strand in his work which is an exploration of the human body and its gestural communication through the medium of dance, he displays the journey of human mind through the imaginative landscape, human emotion and curiosity of the space itself, the interaction and awareness of human bodies through their space especially the negative space, and the dialogue, the communication through dance. This body of work reflects on his love of music and dance.

Khue Nguyen is a Vietnamese born Australian artist based in Melbourne. He completed his first degree at Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts in 1983, his BA Graphic Design degree at Monash University in 1993 and his Master of Visual Arts at Monash University in 2013. Khue Nguyen’s work explores lyrical abstraction and different expression of the body through the medium of dance. He was an Art Gallery of NSW Archibald Prize finalist in 2010, Heartland Refugee Art Prize finalist in 2011, Arc Yinnar Biennial Drawing Prize finalist in 2012 and Hutchins Art Prize finalist in 2013. Khue Nguyen had exhibited internationally in Vietnam and Malyasia and his exhibition ‘Mapping Melbourne – Traces of Transformation’ as part of Contemporary Asian Arts Festival 2013 at Melbourne Museum was highly acclaimed.

Artwork

Simon Chan has established a reputation as a professional gallery director who has helped many aspiring artists by showing them in his Art Atrium Gallery. Mixing exhibitions of established artists with younger artists, he has created a perfect way to promote living artists in difficult times.

Simon has also endeavoured to get prominent figures in the art world to open his exhibitions, which is a good way to publicise and promote younger artists. I commend Simon’s activities, and hope that the artists he has promoted will not forget who first gave them a helping hand. It is the first step up which counts so much in today’s very competitive art world.

Lou Klepac OAM

Art historian, Author, Curator & Publisher

Art Atrium is the invention of Simon Chan, an Architect who has a passion for art, especially indigenous art and architectural drawings. He is one of the few people with the breadth of experience and opportunity to hold such shows at his gallery that demonstrate his discerning eye and appreciation for the unusual and the best of art.

Professor Philip Cox AO

Professor of Architecture UNSW & Founding Partner of Cox Architecture

Simon Chan is a practising architect with a passionate commitment to promoting contemporary art that reflects Australia’s multiculturalism, and in which Australian Indigenous art has an important dynamic presence. In 2009 he founded Art Atrium in Bondi Junction to provide a dedicated space that would allow him to share his artists’ works with audiences, and also to enjoy the physical experience of curating the exhibitions. I have observed the superb way he manages the launch of these events, and I know that all of his artists appreciate the encouragement and advice that he never hesitates to offer.

Dr. Mabel Lee PhD FAHA

Adjunct Professor of Chinese Studies, School of Languages & Culture A18, The University of Sydney

Simon has established an active platform at Art Atrium to encourage cross cultural expression and collaboration among artists from different cultural background. I was honoured to open an exhibition of Chinese Australian women artists, as well as to conduct an Artists in Conversation event when artists directly communicate with art lovers. His passion towards art goes beyond his Gallery, and leads him to generously support art endeavours in public art institutions. He offers guided tours as a Community Ambassador at Art Gallery of NSW, and also serves as a Director on the Board of VisAsia which plays a vital role in promoting Asian art in Australia.

Yin Cao

Curator of Chinese Art at ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

I love the paintings I have bought from Art Atrium - they have really struck a chord. It's also been an absolute pleasure talking with and buying from Simon; it's clear he's in it for the love of the art and that makes the whole experience so much less 'transactional' and more emotional.

Amanda Falconer

Management consultant & business storytelling specialist