First Friday Opening Reception: March 4, 2011, 7-10 p.m.
Golden Rule Gallery, 811 E. Burnside, Suite 122, Portland, OR 97214
Show runs February 4th, 2011 through March 27th, 2011
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by Rafaela Castaldo

Upsur Nova is a series of Nim Wunnan’s semi-abstracted, monochrome, self-interruptive drawings influenced by Obscured, his ongoing series of deliberately-difficult-to-view ink and graphite drawings. The pieces are described as ‘obscured’ because of the highly reflective graphite and, secondly, because of the graphic nature of the work. The composition—directed directed by the materials—is such that the landscape, skyscape and geometry are in conflict and contradiction with one another; they depict disaster.

The theme emerged in Wunnan’s attempt to create impossible worlds through optical illusion so that his images take on the appearance of being simultaneously two- and three-dimensional. As a tactile-visual synesthetic, Wunnan experiences very specific sensations at the sight of these optical illusions.  Upsur Nova began as an experiment to channel this sensation. It is the type of research that only an individual can do on themselves: Wunnan has mapped the mystery of his complex subjective experience while using a clearly defined visual terminology. It is a creative, scientific and an informative device, and, according to Wunnan, the “next-logical-step.”

Nim Wunnan graduated with honors from The Glasgow School of Art in 2008, has had multiple shows in Portland, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, published books What’s Wrong with You and Young People Living in Rented Rooms, lectured at Portland State University and Nationale Gallery. He is the founder of Research Club, a community-supported think-tank that, since 2008, has provided a platform for the curious to share their artistic, technical, intellectual, and organizational ideas serendipitously with other curious, like-minded individuals. The act of acquiring and sharing information bridges Wunnan's art and the aesthetic of this month’s show.

Golden Rule’s concept for the month draws upon metaphors between Wunnan’s introspective research, the work of Research Club, and all things academic. Our home and office furnishings spring up from schoolhouse roots, and our fashion showcase highlights all things scholastic: the schoolgirl, the sorority sister, the hot professor, the sexy librarian, and of course, research assistants. See our March 2011 Lookbook for a sneak peak, and come prepared to get your back-to-school shopping done here.

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All pieces will be available for purchase through Golden Rule. Contact Wynde Dyer at info@goldenruleportland.com or (503) 477-5125 for purchase inquiries. A complete archive of our holdings for Nim Wunnan is coming soon.
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