BIOGRAPHY
Powell Nguyen has been in the world of art since he was first introduced as an eight-year-old. For over a decade, he had kept his work primarily restrained to drawing black-and-white portraits on normal printer paper. Being able to obtain his first new media art tool in 2020, he began to enter the realm of digital art. Constantly consuming media through the likes of movies and social media, he quickly picked up other practices as hobbies as optional mediums for his work. Photography, graphic design, and photographic manipulation played huge roles in shaping his perception of art. His interests in symbolism and choice in color theory tend to culminate as important parts of his work, as he aims to express as many stories as he can on one surface. A majority of his art deal with a hybrid between celebrities and the fictional world.
Powell Nguyen, Best Friends, Procreate, 2023
Best Friends portrays a heartwarming scene of friendship and camaraderie among a group of best friends in the adorable TinyTan aesthetic inspired by BTS. They are gathered in a confined space, enjoying the company, teasing each other, and having fun. The TinyTan versions of BTS members seamlessly blend in with the group, capturing the essence of the TinyTan style with their vibrant personalities and unique characteristics.
The artwork radiates warmth, joy, and inclusivity, showcasing the power of friendship and the deep bonds that connect this group of friends. Rendered with meticulous attention to detail and a touch of whimsy, Best Friends is a heartwarming tribute to the magic of friendship, inspiring viewers with its uplifting message and capturing the essence of BTS's TinyTan aesthetic in a delightful and nostalgic manner.
Powell Nguyen, Anqi, Procreate, 2021
Anqi presents a bridge between embellishing digital and real-life beauty. This digital Art puts forth a portrait of a famous TikTok personality and mutual colleague Anqi Peng. This artwork came as a commisioned request, but quickly became a metaphor for appreciating one's self in regards to confidence, beauty, and appreciating yourself.
Powell Nguyen, BILLIE EILISH x TOMIE, Procreate, 2021
The mix of beautifully soft vocals and eerie aesthetics in her early albums created shockwaves in the music industry. The artwork portrays a mesmerizing fusion of two iconic entities - Billie Eilish and Tomie, brought together in a hauntingly mundane, yet beautiful black and white palette. Against a simple backdrop, Billie Eilish's signature style is evident as she stands with her face to the viewer, draped in an oversized shirt and adorned with striking accessories from her hit music video, When the Party's Over. Her long black hair falls loosely as her excruciatingly haunting alternate personality reaches out for independence. That very face is inspired by critically acclaimed manga artist Junji Ito's fictional character, Tomie.
Powell Nguyen, Backseat Gaming Sova, Nomad Sculpt, Blender, ZBrush, 2022
Backseat Gaming Sova is a three-dimensional realization of an item from the popular shooter Valorant. The ghosts are a manifestation of toxic gamers who micro-manage the player (Sova) to the point where it becomes an unbearable gaming environment. The players shows visible anger, frustration, and annoyance from being constantly yelled at and played down upon.