Materials: clay, paint, felt, ink on paper
15 x 10 x 4cm
(Image © Brenda May Gallery)
Can you imagine Simon as a kid? His imaginary friends probably never wanted to play with him. (Paula Abdul)
Are you ready for a lovely wee story this Friday morning…?
Mylyn Nguyen has always wanted an imaginary friend. I quite fancy the idea myself. When she turned 22, she imagined that she had an imaginary friend when she was just 6 years old. As time went by, she started to draw pictures of what her friend would look like – black with beady eyes. Later, he turned into a greenish monster and morphed into glass every time they played hide and seek together.
At 25, she decided she needed to put away childish things. She became embarrassed about the imaginary friend bear figurine she had made for her work desk. She packed him away and became too busy for playing.
Fortunately for us, when Mylyn turned 26, she saw the light. She, “blew out the candles on her birthday cake and wished for my alien mother ship, my black beady eyed friend and a giant bear. I now ride the train to work with a glass friend in my pocket, a bear in my bag and a conversation with the little dust bunny in the crack of the window seal, populated by three little villages and a bug. I still get embarrassed. But I do it anyway… “
Have a look at some of her delightfully whimsical, not to mention lilliputian, creations…
Materials: clay, paint, felt, ink on paper
7cm x 15cm x 4cm
(Image © Brenda May Gallery)
Materials: glass bottle, dirt, sponge, twig, w/c + ink on paper
8.5cm x 4cm x 3cm
(Image © Brenda May Gallery)
Materials: clay, paint, felt, ink on paper
11cm x 6cm x 5cm
(Image © Brenda May Gallery)
Materials: watercolour, ink, found book, paper, bamboo
30cm x 27cm x 20cm
(Image © Brenda May Gallery)
Materials: found chair, wood, twigs, foam, dirt, paint
89cm x 40cm x 37cm
(Image © Brenda May Gallery)
Wouldn’t you love to build your own imaginary world like Mylyn has done?
Mylyn Nguyen is represented by Brenda May Gallery here in Sydney. In November this year, she will have a solo show at the gallery, entitled ‘An Owl Flew Into My Office and Told Me to Look for a Bear’.
The gallery featured a blog post on Mylyn Nguyen here.
I’m a bit of a fan of Brenda May Gallery. I have previously mentioned them in my post about ‘A Bear With a Very Little Brain’.
These are gorgeous. I love Brenda May Gallery too! x
Its a Brenda May love-fest, TTAF! 🙂
Where do you keep finding these amazingly talented folk? Love the little girl with the flyaway pigtails.
I just post what I like, Jo! Very happy when other like it, too! 🙂
I’m a big fan of Brenda’s too! Lovely, enchanting work.
After following you for a wee while, that doesn’t surprise me, H. Have a great weekend. 🙂
Hi,
Brilliant. 😀
Mags – sometimes you surprise me!!! Glad you like them 🙂
A perfect Friday post, TSL – thank you! These are lovely, will check out Brenda May Gallery now… 🙂
Sparks – I think Brenda May Gallery may just be something you would like. Let me know? Maybe BCD, you and I can start our RW acquaintance in Danks Street? Have a fab’ weekend, C. 🙂
Definitely on my to visit this weekend! Thanks for the tip. So great to see felt used so well in sculpture. I am so over the usual felted slippers and hats this winter! Enough. Cheers Sue
Hey Sue – That’s fantastic! I just love this blogging gig, especially when you can introduce someone to something new and it strikes a chord. I have a couple of sculptural pieces from Brenda May – I have never visited and not been inspired by something. Enjoy!
ahhhh these are amazing, I love the chair one! Have you ever seen twig terrariums, this reminds me of the mini worlds they create! http://twigterrariums.com/shop-online
Thiara – cheers for that! These are brilliant! 🙂
So intriguing this artwork J! A glimpse into the creative mind of a very unique individual! 🙂
Isn’t she, Shira.
How are you, travelling girl? Are you home yet or still on the road?
Oh just peachy my friend! Was all high and mighty about my travel chops until i abruptly hit the wall this afternoon….got in late last night and straight back to the grind! It was a fun time though…..now to get caught up!! 🙂
How are you? I LOVED your scarf post, btw…really!
All good here, Possum. We have a long weekend here – celebrating the Queens Birthday after the rest of the world – including our nearest neighbour!
Know exactly what you mean about hitting the wall after travelling and changing time zones (try living at the bottom of the world!)
Happy you enjoyed the scarves. You were my inspiration! 🙂
What a fantastic way to start our Friday! Thank you for sharing Mylyn’s work, we think she is something special and love her pieces and hope you can all visit during her solo show in November. Thanks again!
Hey Brenda May Gallery person! – thanks for stopping by. It’s clear you are a favourite with the Sydney crew (judging by the comments!)
I’ll be there in November. 🙂
What a beautiful world she has created.
Quite enchanting, isn’t it, Lady Fi? 🙂
Very precious !
Aren’t they, D? I just love that ability to stay connected to your inner child.
Beautiful! i particularly like the tree in the jar! : )
Me too, Anarty. That one and the ‘Into the Woods’, I think… but then, I could be persuaded to change my mind!
LOVE them, totally up my street! I will definitely have to check out I am so glad she had a reality check and bought back her imaginary friends…..
Me too, BCD. Suggested to Sparks that we might consider our inaugural meet up in Danks Street – lots to see (and drink and eat!)
Hope you aren’t spending TOO much money! 🙂
Sounds good! Can never spend too much money!!! (well maybe you can, just trying to make myself feel better!);-)
Absolutely delightful. It makes me want to have an imaginary friend, too!
I feel the same way. Can’t help but imagine my friend to be orange, though… or, maybe turquoise?
Intricate, adorable, and imaginative. very sweet. There’s something so gorgeous about ‘But How Do We Get Up There?’ Lovely Syders 🙂
I shall be going to the exhibition in November, Marina. I want to see more!