Purple Art
[October 8 2024]
“Developing Desire” the first solo exhibition by Amanda Ba at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery is currently showing in New York, on view until October 26
Born to Chinese American parents, Ba’s work is deeply influenced by diasporic memories. Here she presents an evocative exploration of desire, capital, and nationalism through her signature bold, large-scale paintings. Goddess-like, oversized nude figures are set against vibrant Chinese urban landscapes. Creating a powerful contrast between the sensuous bodies and the stark, rapidly changing environments they inhabit. Ba’s recurring use of rubble highlights themes of destruction, reconstruction, and modern Chinas relentless drive for progress. The monumental figures seem to expose the psychosexual fantasies intertwined with the country’s ambitions, while questioning the relationship between personal desire and collective identity.
