Anthony Le’s work centers on the disjointedness of his Asian American identity. Made over the past two years, these paintings provide a glimpse into Le’s evolving attitudes on masculinity, femininity, injustice and identity. Negotiating images of Americana and various Asian culture, Le paints narrative scenes that sift through history and cultural expectations to reveal complex layers of identity. The portraits explore color, light and space to create scenes that are more daydream than reality. The works feature people close to Le and public figures he admires to highlight how identity is constantly provoked by internal and external forces.
The exhibit features pairings of acrylic paintings, weaving together public and private narratives that confront masculinity, femininity and injustice. The paintings show vignettes of vulnerability that Le describes as “sometimes painful but always valid and valued.” The work asks questions about the Asian American experience, and in that search for commonality, others are welcome to listen in.
Anthony Le is an award-winning visual artist, designer and co-founder of The Model Mutiny clothing line. Influenced by his landscape architecture education, Le synthesizes narrative, history and place in the pursuit of storytelling. As a self-taught artist, Le’s practice includes painting, drawing and printmaking. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his partner and fellow artist Ashley Jaye Williams.
Tiny Art Gallery is located at 46 W. 46th St. 4th Fl., New York, NY 10036 (BurnStrong Studios).
