Realms of Wonderland
previously On Display at PARU’s Bow Hall
January 15 - February 28
7441 Girard Ave Suite B, La Jolla
Thank you to Lani for the photo | p.c.: @lanigobaleza
FROM THE ARTIST
While the Year of the Rabbit is celebrated by most cultures, we celebrate the Cat in Vietnamese culture. These animals share the same year and attributes—both known to be sensitive and thoughtful by nature. I couldn’t think of two better animals to host an afternoon tea party for the entire zodiac family.
The theme of soft skies and portals across these 5 pieces all clicked the second Amy—PARU founder—told me about their new “Pink Rabbit” tea blend and compared its complex flavor profile to different dimensions. I started imagining our zodiac hosts being transported to those far off places. To honor the Cat and Rabbit’s sensitive spirits, I hope these paintings send you off to more relaxing “realms”.
The Rabbit Who Leapt Through Time
$220
Mixed media painting (acrylic, gouache, pastels) on wood 18" x 24", framed.
"The Rabbit Who Leapt Through Time" is a continuation of the artist's fascination with rabbits, which stemmed from her 3-year-old nephew's wild imagination.
Similarly to my “White Rabbit” painting, this piece features wood adhered to the glass frame and swirls extending to the matting to give the painting different levels of depth.
Lantern Festival
$165
Mixed media painting (gouache, ink) on cold-pressed watercolor paper
18" x 24", framed
This piece is a part of the collection "Realms of Wonderland" by Anie Quynh, centered around dreamscapes and alternate realms to match PARU's dreamy "pink rabbit" tea.
This painting is a portal to the past. A flashback of the very first bao lì xì PARU invited me to make during the year of the Ox. Together, we created a little world for the zodiac animals to live in, featuring apricot blossoms (a.k.a. hoa mai, what my dad calls the flower of Tết in Viet Nam) with lanterns and lucky charms hanging off of it. We made it a place for the Ox to dance and the Tiger to protect, and—while the rabbit lives in an alternate sanctuary in this year’s design—this art piece is the Rabbit and Cat’s entry to that little forest.
Portals To Another Dimension
Mixed media painting on wood 24" x 24"
In Vietnamese culture, we celebrate the Year of the Cat in place of the Rabbit. This piece is dedicated to the artist's grandmother, who will be entering her 7th Zodiac birth year.
I originally intended to adhere this wood panel to glass like the Rabbit Who Leapt Through Time. There were a lot of mishaps with the process—including broken glass and burnt flower petals —so it only felt fitting to lean into the unfortunate series of events with a black cat.
Zodiac tea party
S O L D
Mixed media (acrylic, gouache, pastels) on cold-pressed watercolor paper
24" x 36", framed
This last year was filled with so many gatherings to make up for lost time. At some points it felt necessary for the soul, but it definitely had its overwhelming moments. I wanted to create a piece that felt true to the Cat and Rabbit’s sensitive spirits with a get-together that leaned more towards “necessary for the soul.”
Since both zodiac animals are compassionate by nature, it felt right to write a story where the two of them host a relaxing tea party for the whole zodiac family (pictured: the animals who according to folklore would arrive first to the party).