Troy Lamarr Chew II Explores Themes of Social Invisibility Through Art
**Troy Lamarr Chew II Explores Social Invisibility Through Art**
San Francisco-based artist Troy Lamarr Chew II offers a contemplative lens into the fragile dynamics of identity, visibility, and societal structures in his latest exhibition at the Altman Siegel gallery. The works, all created in 2024, delve into the nuanced theme of “seeing” and being “seen” in a world where cultural and systemic forces often render individuals invisible.
### **A Study in Transparency**
Chew’s powerful artistic device of rendering parts of human figures as transparent — notably their faces and limbs — starkly underscores his exploration of social invisibility. By stripping away the opacity of selfhood, the translucent elements of his subjects reveal the physical and cultural environments behind them. This invites viewers to ponder not only the erasure of individuality but also the overwhelming influence of societal norms and systems that define marginalized communities, particularly Black and Brown individuals.
In works like *The T-shirt Pusher*, Chew paints a factory where every mechanical detail is crystal clear except when it intersects with the semi-transparent figure seated in the foreground. The figure is blurred and muddled by transparency, creating a visual metaphor for how individual identity can become lost or distorted within layers of socioeconomic structures.
### **Intersections Between Environments and Identity**
Chew’s compositions seamlessly integrate his subjects into urban, domestic, and natural landscapes. Each environment becomes both a backdrop and an active participant in communicating the constraints or freedoms faced by these figures. Paintings such as *Hold the blocc down* evoke the precariousness of homelessness with faintly outlined possessions—a shopping cart, a bicycle—and unclear shapes that suggest shelter on the margins of society. Here, the individual is rendered both essential and inconsequential, swallowed by the social and physical structures that surround them.
In contrast, *Office Break* shifts tone with its vivid, bucolic setting. Grass and sunlight shine through the sitting figure’s semi-transparent form, suggesting peace, or a fleeting moment of reprieve, amplified by the contrast with Chew’s urban-themed works. This interplay between setting and subject demonstrates Chew’s ability to evoke a spectrum of human experiences, from estrangement to tranquility.
### **Art that Embraces Cultural Critique**
As much as Chew’s work exposes alienation and invisibility, it also includes glimmers of creativity and expression. In *Sweet Lullabies*, a vibrant depiction of a musician in a recording studio highlights how cultural spaces can transform into sites of personal empowerment. Here, the rainbow-like glow of a computer monitor subtly interacts with the figure’s features, spotlighting his artistic immersion. The singer’s slightly extended fingers, tense with energy, contrast with the stillness of the other figures depicted in Chew’s oeuvre. This single act of musical performance symbolizes a reclamation of individuality within limiting societal frameworks.
However, even instances of self-expression are layered with complexity in Chew’s work. *Boutta work on this painting*, potentially a self-portrait, offers a more introspective take. The artist himself becomes entangled with his work, as parts of his body blend into corners of an empty picture frame. This symbolic merging of body and artistic labor suggests both the liberation and burden of creation in navigating identity.
### **Challenging Perceptions of Visibility**
Chew’s exhibition poses a fundamental question: Do we truly see one another, or are we only superficially gazing *through* one another, blinded by biases, systems, and preconceived notions? By using transparency both literally and metaphorically, Chew draws attention to how cultural and societal influences obscure individuality, relegating certain bodies and identities to a space of non-recognition.
His art critiques systems of privilege and marginalization while encouraging deeper reflection from viewers. The transparency embedded in his figures is both a haunting reminder of erasure and a call to reimagine inclusivity.
### **Where Art Meets Activism**
Beyond the visual, Chew’s works invite broader conversation around identity politics, race, class, and belonging. His focus on Black and Brown subjects resonates with audiences grappling with questions about representation and systemic inequality. These paintings act as more than aesthetic explorations — they are tools for navigating complex social realities while urging audiences to engage with empathy.
### **Visit the Exhibition**
Troy Lamarr Chew II’s exhibition continues at the Altman Siegel Gallery in San Francisco through December 12, 2024. Art enthusiasts, activists, and critics alike are encouraged to experience these provocative works in person. While Chew’s translucent figures may be partially invisible on canvas, their stories and the broader contexts they embody demand to be fully seen.
For more details, visit the [Altman Siegel Gallery](https://altmansiegel.com/exhibitions/243-troy-lamarr-chew-ii/) website.
—
Whether through the clarity of a carefully painted street scene or the intangible lines of a blurred human form, Che