Ode to Proteus: Michelle Nguyễn

The title of Michelle Nguyen's first solo exhibition in London refers to the mythological figure Proteus, a god capable of assuming many forms. From his shapeshifting abilities comes the adjective "Protean", meaning "mutable" or "versatile", which has positive connotations of flexibility and adaptability.

The concept of shapeshifting is central to Nguyen's production. This new collection of works investigates how change pervades every sphere of our existence, with each artwork touching upon a specific area: from the ambivalent nature of grief, to the evolution of cultural beliefs, through the study of morphing creatures, both mystical and natural, to the constant transformation of our own identity.

Rejecting the notion of static, monolithic reality, Nguyen believes that all things, visible, palpable, and abstract, are connected to each other and as such mutation and metamorphosis are profoundly human experiences.