Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to spend time with Enchi Wang (and Gon) in her home studio as preparations continue for Presence, opening July 11th at Timeless Thrills.
Part of what makes studio visits so valuable is the opportunity to encounter work before it leaves the environment in which it was created. I spent time with paintings that will soon be installed in the gallery, alongside works that Wang has been developing over the course of a few years.
I also love seeing the spaces artists create for themselves. The paints they use, palettes covered in years of color, furniture worn in from long hours of work, and the artwork they choose to live alongside all tell a story. Spending time in Wang’s space offered plenty of those moments.
One fascinating aspect of the visit was seeing just how varied the timeline of the exhibition really is. A few pieces have evolved over the last two to three years, while others were started only a few months ago. Together they create a snapshot of a practice that is constantly shifting and evolving.
The conversations surrounding the work were equally rewarding. One painting in particular emerged from a dream that stayed with Wang for years. The imagery lingered long after waking, eventually becoming something she felt compelled to bring into physical form.
Beyond the studio itself, I got a glimpse into Wang’s life outside of painting. I was able to see the ADU she built and calls home, spend some time in her garden, and learn more about the day-to-day experiences that shape her world.
Seeing the ADU was especially interesting knowing that, in just a few days, Wang will begin constructing a large-scale installation inside Timeless Thrills. During our conversations, we discussed how the installation is, in many ways, an extension of that earlier project—another step in an ongoing interest in building spaces and environments. Like much of the work in Presence, it reflects a practice that continues to evolve rather than arrive at a fixed destination.
And of course, there was Gon. It was great spending some time with him and seeing the relationship he and Wang share. It’s easy to see why he continues to find his way into her work. One of the paintings in Presence even features Gon breathing fire.
What became most apparent during today’s visit was a sense of evolution. This exhibition does not feel like a destination as much as it does a point along a larger path. The work reflects an artist paying close attention to change, remaining open to uncertainty, and gaining clarity about where her practice is heading.
This was only Part I.
Beginning next week, Wang will move into Timeless Thrills, transforming the gallery into a temporary extension of her studio. Over the weeks leading up to the opening reception, she will continue working on paintings while constructing a large-scale immersive installation that will serve as the centerpiece of Presence.
We’re looking forward to sharing more of that process as it unfolds.
Presence opens July 11th from 6-9pm and remains on view through August 22 at Timeless Thrills.