Vinyl records arrest our imaginations not only with their recorded sounds, but their deep cultural significations. As a piece of memorabilia, vinyl records are steeped in nostalgia and have a density of presence in how they carry histories that, had they never been recorded, would have fallen to oblivion. Artist Gary Hong aims to empower a new generation to self-awareness by harnessing the power of vinyl records within the field of painting. Hong combines two seemingly incompatible elements in a process of laminating multiple layers of acrylic mediums over vinyl records. This innovative process explores alternative ways of making a "painting" that go beyond the application of brushing paint to a canvas, thus pushing the boundaries of painting's own definition. Hong's work achieves the effect of making the world resemble three-dimensional modern paintings and prompts viewers to reflect on their own delicate and inextricable relationships with the past.
By Jenn Mar
