For the artist, “Imprint” marks both a culmination of a positive, meaningful journey and of a beginning
Archivo 1984 presents “Imprint,” the debut solo exhibition of self-taught artist Katrina Chua.
Composed of a unique portrait series—tender and heartfelt—that are expressions of love towards ever-loyal companions that we consider family: pets, dogs in particular. Each painting in this inaugural show celebrates the unspoken bonds between people (hoomans) and their beloved furbabies—a language that is mutually and universally understood.
Through the lens of classical realism and expressive alla prima brushwork—that is, at one go, where the brush strokes feel “fresh and alive” and “carry so much character”—Chua captures not just the physical likeness of her subjects in amazing detail, but their individuality and the depth of their emotions as well.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel painted in classical realism with expressive alla prima brushwork by Katrina Chua
Influenced by 19th-century portraiture, she extends the same artistic sensitivity often reserved for human sitters to the animals she paints. “Through my work, I want to celebrate the quiet connections we share with them,” Chua says.
Katrina Chua
Art has always been a refuge for Chua growing up. “From a young age, we were encouraged to draw and create,” she recalls. “It was a natural form of self-expression—something I turned to whenever I needed a break from the world.”
Despite this encouragement, however, coming from a Chinese Filipino household meant that art was viewed as a pastime rather than a profession. Still, Chua learned art entirely on her own—”spending hours watching tutorials and practicing whenever I could.”