UNDERCURRENTS

JUNE 7 – JULY 11, 2025

ARTIST’S RECEPTION JUNE 7, 4-6 PM

Please join us along with the artists!

FREDERIC CHOISEL

STEPHEN NAMARA

BING ZHANG

OLEG LOBYKIN

Andra Norris Gallery is proud to present UNDERCURRENTS, a group exhibition featuring paintings, mixed media drawings, and sculptures by four distinguished contemporary artists: Frédéric Choisel, Stephen Namara, and — making their gallery debuts —Bing Zhang and Oleg Lobykin.

FREDERIC CHOISEL

French-American artist Frédéric Choisel explores the poetic intersection between nature and abstraction, drawing inspiration from oceanscapes, sky, and classical mythology. His paintings evoke the atmosphere and movement of the natural world without depicting it literally. Through expressive brushwork, shifting color fields, and layered textures, Choisel captures the emotional and spiritual essence of his subjects, whether referencing the sea, sky, or timeless archetypes drawn from history and poetry.

Frédéric Choisel’s work invites viewers into a contemplative, immersive experience. His recent Sea Foam series, inspired by the glowing, ever-shifting waters along the French Atlantic coast, captures the interplay between light, environment, and emotion. These paintings reflect both the external natural world and internal states of being. Rooted in a deep reverence for nature and the transcendent, Choisel’s art becomes a visual meditation on presence, impermanence, and the unseen rhythms that shape our experience of the world.

STEPHEN NAMARA

Stephen Namara's work is a testament to technical mastery and emotional depth. His artistic execution showcases a level of skill that is both rare and commanding. His ability to render form, light, and atmosphere is unparalleled, lending his works of art a remarkable realism that coexists with an aura of quiet introspection. His portraits, often shrouded in mystery, evoke a haunting presence. Faces are rendered with such subtle complexity that they draw viewers into a lasting contemplative engagement.

Namara's command of technique serves to deepen the psychological resonance of his subjects, many of which are born from the artist’s imagination. Namara’s paintings and mixed media works, particularly his still lifes and figures, possess a subdued, almost melancholic tone. These works resemble fragments of memory, “snapshots” that suspend time. The feeling of isolation that pervades many of his compositions does not alienate the viewer. Instead, it invites a personal dialogue with the image. By avoiding overt narrative, Namara leaves space for individual emotional interpretation and creates a universal connection through his intimate, moody aesthetic.

BING ZHANG

Bing Zhang’s Subway painting series explores themes of class, labor, social connection and disconnection, and the pervasive role of technology. These themes are conveyed through the lens of intimate observation. The visual references for the series were captured in 2014 during a visit to her family in China. Since her departure in 2001, Zhang observed significant transformations in the country, particularly the rapid urban expansion and influx of rural populations into metropolitan centers in search of economic opportunity.

The subway, as a primary mode of transportation for the working class, serves as a microcosm of urban life. The series depicts the routine existence of individuals who have migrated from across China to pursue livelihoods in the capital. Her work Subway 2, for instance, illustrates the claustrophobic atmosphere of rush hour, where people are packed tightly within confined spaces. A notable element in these scenes is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones. These devices simultaneously offer psychological escape and physical detachment. In Zhang’s portrayal, phones appear as both isolating tools in the physical world and bridges to connection in the virtual realm. Through autobiographical realism, Zhang draws us into her private world and offers insight into our own lives.

OLEG LOBYKIN

Oleg Lobykin, a sculptor originally from Russia and now based in Silicon Valley, blends classical stone carving techniques with contemporary conceptual art. Trained as a master carver, he also specializes in the restoration of historic architecture and sculpture. His work honors time-honored craftsmanship while incorporating modern technologies and diverse cultural influences. Lobykin’s art investigates the balance between tradition and innovation, merging recognizable forms with surprising twists to uncover deeper truths about the human condition. Guided by a commitment to making meaningful contributions to society, his sculptures delve into themes of transformation, perception, and existential mystery.

Inspired by nature and metaphysical thought, his creations often explore the genesis of form and evoke gateways to alternate dimensions, encouraging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of reality. Through rich textures, bold colors, and interactive features, Lobykin's work navigates the tension between opposites—light and shadow, creation and decay, the tangible and the spiritual—offering a contemplative journey into the unity of all things.