Between by Xuân Pham

Strata Gallery announces Between a solo exhibition by Emerging Artist Xuân Pham. The exhibition opens February 4th and runs through February 14th.

Xuân Pham explores themes of hybridity vulnerability and empathy through object making and storytelling. Her work centers the relationship between trauma migration and race investigating how the political and psychological impact of trauma and grief transpires within the Asian American communities and how it informs the formation of subjectivity especially in representations of race in the United States. Working between drawing sculpture and installation she pursues these questions through materials that bear on the cultural and political histories of European imperialism. 

Pham’s garments and drawings in the exhibition explore the interplay between private and public visible and invisible borders and screens and various forms of spiritual physical and psychological protection. At first glance Pham’s “suits” appear to be clothing. However the sheer transparent influence fabric neither hides nor protects the body. Rather the unguarded suits function as talismans drawing influence from historical ritualistic practices. These sheer suits are instilled with positive intentions which transcend physical projection and create a veil of spiritual security that acts as a second skin. This body of work explores the intersections between the ideas of faith hope and superstition. Displayed with these garments are life-size drawings which serve as recording of the suits performances and functions according to the artist. Pham invites you to press upon these tactile “ghost” drawings to reveal layered imagery. 

Xuân Pham received her MFA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Art Studio Department at Mount Holyoke College. She has a solo show between February 13-March 16 at Hampshire Gallery MA and a forthcoming 3 person show in March 2025 at CT State Community College in Manchester CT. Her work has been exhibited in New York City Nebraska Iowa Massachusetts and Florida. This is her first solo show in New Mexico.

Strata Gallery is open from 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday – Saturday. For more information about Strata Gallery the current exhibit and the future schedule of events please visit the Strata Gallery website and Instagram.

Emerging Artist Program: This project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Host or Publisher Strata Gallery