Painting

The Wings Between Them

Ami Nghiem

Exhibition

See it On Campus: Level 2

Visitor Info

The Wings Between Them is composed of two wall scroll paintings, telling a fictional story of distance, yearning, love, and devotion, where two female figures are separated by the canvas yet connected by the passing of a swallow. One is a scholar, the other is a traveler. Both are searching for understanding; one in pursuit of knowledge, the other in pursuit of the world. The fictional narrative is set in the Tang Dynasty, which is reflected through their fashion: colourful robes, high-waisted skirts, and flowing, expressive silhouettes. Both are oil and acrylic on canvas, 20×52″ each.

In the left scroll, the traveler walks a misty mountain trail in early spring. Her green hanfu is representative of nature, peace, and harmony, her arm cuffs are for ease of movement. She’s seemingly alone, but her landscape accompanies her, and a swallow circles overhead. As the tiniest detail, her hair is secured by an ornamental stick that was gifted to her.

In the right scroll, the scholar rests against the balcony during the last days of winter, watching nothing in particular. Her blue robes represent wisdom and calmness. Her posture is relaxed, her hair is loosely tied with a gifted ribbon. She exists in a quiet, lonely space as she waits for her lover. A swallow makes its appearance, stitching the paintings together as a messenger of promise, reunion, and coming spring.