Bao Khang Luu Collection
Bao Khang Luu Page
Bao Khang Luu
The inherent beauty and intrinsic value of everyday things underlie my work. Each series I create links to a specific place, time, and memory.
Formally, my pieces employ pattern. They require enormous amounts of repetitive and physically daunting manual labor. Control and process looms large.
In the first part of my creative process I collect two things—memories and materials. I stay in a place, experience it, and connect to it. When I walk around, I scan the environment, look at the ground, and gathering things. By collecting, cleaning, sorting, storing, and arranging materials I imbue it with more value. I store my finds often for years before they are used.
The second part of my creative process matches form and meaning. I hash out ideas in my sketchbook. It requires multiples rounds of sketches and prototypes to refine a visual approach. Material itself holds significance even before it’s manipulated. I think about semiotics throughout the creative process, sometimes long after a piece is physically finished. I refine logic and meaning by writing, which I do concurrently with my investigations of form.
Ostensibly, my work does not appear moralizing or political, but indeed, it draws from wells of sustainability and the LGBTQ+ experience. Pleasant visuals provide the vehicle for metaphors and hidden meanings. I aim to surprise and delight viewers while shifting perceptions of value.
EXHIBITIONS
2023 Abstract, Teravarna, https://www.teravarna.com/winners-2023-water-4
Cool Summer Vibes, 2358 MRKT Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Nicoleta Gallery Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Abstract, Teravarna, https://www.teravarna.com/winners-2023-abstract-9
Starbelly, San Francisco, USA
Gaylien, O-Rama, San Francisco, USA
ArtExpo Basel, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Saint-Louis, France
Visible, 2358 MRKT Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Pride Is Not a Crime, Helvella Art, Oakland, USA
Kaleidoscope, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Tableaux, Flame-O-Rama, San Francisco, USA
Abstract Is Abstract, HMVC Gallery New York, www.hmvcgallery.com
Natural Forms, Queer Arts Featured Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Casa Del Arte, Palma, Spain
ArtSpan Juried Benefit Art Auction, 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Abstract, Art Show International Gallery, www.artshowinternational.com
Open, Art Room Gallery, www.artroomgalleryonline.com
48 Pillars, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Johnathan Schultz Gallery, Miami, USA
Art Lab LA, Los Angeles, USA
2022 Small Works, Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, USA
SFOS Showcase Exhibition, SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, USA
SwissArtExpo, SBB Event Hall, Zurich, Switzerland
COLOR, Art Show International Gallery, www.artshowinternational.com
Artistic Independence, Las Laguna Gallery, www.laslagunaartgallery.com
Patterns, Textures & Forms, Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery, www.lightspacetime.art
Waters, Art Room Gallery, www.artroomgalleryonline.com
Textures, Shapes, Patterns or Forms, Las Laguna Gallery, www.laslagunaartgallery.com
SwissArtExpo, SBB Event Hall, Zurich, Switzerland
Bioneers Conference, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
Pacific Art League Members Exhibit, Palo Alto, USA
Small Works, Soft Times Gallery, San Francisco, USA
ArtSpan Juried Benefit Art Auction, San Francisco, USA
Soft Times Soft Launch Auction, Soft Times Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2021 SFOS Showcase Exhibition, SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, USA
Abstracted, art-fluent.com
SwissArtExpo, Zurich Main Station, Bahnhofplatz, Switzerland
2020 vernissage, Galerie Alpine, Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland
SwissArtExpo, Zurich Main Station, Bahnhofplatz, Switzerland
2011 Apartment Therapy Design Showcase, New York City, USA
Parsons Alumni Juried Exhibition, Arnold & Sheila Aronson Galleries, New York City, USA
COLLECTIONS
Michelle Cooke collection, San Francisco, USA
Cynthia Farner collection, San Francisco, USA
Archer Boswell collection, San Francisco, USA
Mojgan Sadrzadeh collection, San Francisco, USA
Private collection, Belmont, USA
Private collection, Greensboro, USA
Private collection, Gryon, Switzerland
Private collection, New York City, USA
Private collection, Oahu, USA
Private collection, Reno, USA
Private collection, Seattle, USA
Private collection, Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland
COMMISSIONS
2023 Corporate Art Commission Boole 2.1 - 2.7
bicycle rims, paracord, North Carolina, USA
2021 Private Art Commission Une Reconfiguration 27
pine cone scales, wood, acrylic, cardboard, wood putty, Houston, USA
2021 Corporate Art Commission Boole 1.1 - 1.4
bicycle rims, elastic, North Carolina, USA
2020 Private Art Commission Une Reconfiguration 25
pine cone scales, wood, acrylic, Chesières, Switzerland
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2023 “Transcribing Queer Experiences: Art Journey of Parenthood and Creative Unblocking”, Minjic
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transcribing-queer-experiences-bao-khang-luus-art-journey/
id1627944222?i=1000617727761
Artwork Archive
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsEWyf6OChz/
Divide Magazine, Issue 1, 33
https://issuu.com/divideartmagazine/docs/issue_1_addition_mag
2022 “This Artist Turns Mundane Discarded Objects Into Works of Art”, Artwork Archive
https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/this-artist-turns-mundane-discarded-objects-into-works-of-art
“We the Artists”, ArtSpan
https://www.baokhangluu.com/post/artspan-we-the-artists
“Yes, ART! Spotlight Artist”, ArtSpan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMP22_3GkXs
2021 “Interview with Bao-Khang Luu: Inherent Beauty in Everything”, Galerie Alpine
https://www.galeriealpine.com/news-and-announcements/interview-with-bao-khang-luu
2015 Post-Petroleum Design, George Elvin, 9781138853904
2013 Eco Design, Ivy Liu/Jian Wong, 8492810912
2011 “Design Perennial” Surface Asia, Volume 6, 24
2010 “Recycled Six-Pack Ring Chandeliers Turn Trash Into Lavish Lamps” Inhabitat
https://inhabitat.com/recycled-six-pack-ring-chandeliers-turn-trash-into-lavish-lamps
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2023 Teravarna, Honorable Mention, “Water" exhibition
Teravarna, Honorable Mention, “Abstract" exhibition
Artshow International, Finalist, “Abstract" exhibition
Art Room Gallery, Honorable Mention, “Open” exhibition
2022 The Sheridan Prize for Art, Artists' Choice 1st honorable mention
ArtSpan SFOS Exhibition, Top 5 Pick
Luxembourg Art Prize, Artistic Merit
Artshow International, Talent Prize Award
Artshow International, Finalist
Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery, Honorable Mention
Art Room Gallery, Honorable Mention
2021 Luxembourg Art Prize, Artistic Merit
2016 Bargain Hunt
2012 Flea Market Flip
2011 The Nate Berkus Show
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Apartment Therapy Design Evening
Apartment Therapy Design Showcase
Philips Bright Ideas Competition, finalist
2010 Inhabitat Spring Competition, finalist
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
Galerie Alpine, Villars-sur-Ollons, Switzerland
2358MRKT, San Francisco, USA
Wescover, San Francisco, USA
ArtSpan, San Francisco, USA
VOLUNTEERING
2022-2023 Infinity Art Committee, chair
2022-2023 ArtSpan ORC committee, member
2022 -2023 ArtSpan EDI committee, founding member
EDUCATION
Design and Technology, MFA, Parsons School of Design
Design, BFA, University of Texas at Austin
Sustainable Design Entrepreneurship, Certification, Fashion Institute of Technology