“What Will You Give?” Tidawhitney Lek and Veronica Fernandez at Sidecar Night Gallery

The following writing pieces are painting analyses from excerpts of the show "What Will You Give" at Night Gallery's Sidecar exhibition space, which ran from April 27 - June 22, 2024.

Tidawhitney Lek, Richie’s Liquor, 2024

This thought-provoking painting captures a moment of everyday life and transforms it into a scene loaded with potential meaning. The juxtaposition of the mundane (a man walking into a store) with the surreal (the abstract sky) creates a tension that invites viewers to reflect on the layers of experience and emotion that lie beneath the surface of daily routines. The painting suggests a narrative, a story unfolding or about to unfold, making it visually engaging and intellectually stimulating. The blending of realism and abstraction and the thoughtful use of color and composition marks this work as a sophisticated exploration of modern life and its complexities.

Presenting a compelling urban scene that combines everyday life with an atmosphere of contemplation and perhaps unease, the composition uses sharp lines and contrasting colors to delineate the different sections, creating separation and compartmentalization.

The store's presence and the man in the red hoodie suggest themes of urban life, consumerism, and the individual’s role within a larger societal framework. The man’s pose and how he steps into the store might imply a moment of decision or transition.

The reflection in the store window, showing another silhouette, introduces an element of duality or anonymity, hinting that individual identities often become obscured or faceless in urban environments.

The abstract sky with red and blue clouds can be interpreted in several ways. It might represent an emotional or psychological landscape, contrasting with the mundanity of the storefront. The clouds’ vivid colors and soft edges give this part of the painting a dream-like, almost surreal quality, suggesting a separation between reality and imagination or perhaps a hint of underlying turmoil or change.

Lek’s use of realistic detail in the store window and the figure contrasts sharply with the abstract treatment of the sky, showcasing the artist’s ability to blend realism with abstraction effectively.

The colors are chosen strategically to evoke certain moods: the red of the man’s hoodie draws immediate attention. At the same time, the muted purples and blues of the storefront create a cooler, more detached feeling. The sky, with its warm yellows and intense reds, introduces an emotional or even foreboding tone. Lek employs a controlled use of light and shadow, particularly in the figure and the reflections in the window, adding depth and realism to the scene.

Veronica Fernandez, The Last Ten Dollars, 2024

“The Last Ten Dollars” employs strong contrast through color, light, or thematic elements to create a visual impact and provoke thought. The painting's chaotic composition and vibrant colors evoke intensity and conflict, exploring complex emotional landscapes and engaging the viewer to consider themes of isolation, community, conflict, and the juxtaposition of everyday life with deeper, sometimes darker, undercurrents.

Complex and vibrant, filled with figures and various elements, the scene appears indoors, with a vivid, fiery red background and a group of people gathered in what seems to be a kitchen or communal space. The composition is dense, with overlapping figures and objects, giving a sense of clutter and chaos. The left side of the painting is dominated by a large yellow and red abstract form, perhaps representing fire or a burst of energy.

The intense red and yellow colors suggest tension, conflict, or heightened emotion. The presence of children and adults who are arguing or discussing something animatedly reflects themes of family dynamics, conflict, or generational differences.

The depiction of household items, such as a table with food, implies a domestic setting, which contrasts with the dramatic, almost apocalyptic imagery on the left. This juxtaposition could symbolize the clash between everyday life and underlying turmoil or chaos.

Fernandez employs vivid, saturated colors to create a sense of heat and intensity that almost overwhelms the viewer. Using different textures and painting styles within one composition—smooth in some areas, rough in others—adds depth and complexity to the scene, mirroring the multifaceted nature of the themes explored.