
Through Lingering Windows
Ming Wang at Fou Gallery
January 18 - March, 8 2025
Ming Wang
At Dusk, 2024
Oil on Canvas
40 x 26 1/4 in
An interview
with artist, Ming Wang and curator,
Ashley Ouderkirk
In a world of constant movement and digital distraction, should we still make time for mindful observation—and if so, what value does it bring to our lives? Through Lingering Windows, Ming Wang’s debut solo exhibition at Fou Gallery directly engages with these questions, exploring how fleeting moments of stillness can become deeper emotional and psychological landscapes. Drawing from personal memories and the quiet details of urban life, Wang transforms the mundane into meditative studies of solitude, presence, and perception. The following essay delves into the nuances of her practice, examining how her compositions reimagine everyday spaces as sites of contemplation. To further illuminate the exhibition’s themes, both Wang and curator Ashley Ouderkirk share their perspectives on the role of memory, atmosphere, and narrative in shaping our experience of the ordinary.

MING WANG
At Dawn, 2024
Oil on Canvas
38 x 50 in
TUSSLE: Ming, your work often transforms everyday urban scenes into deeply psychological landscapes. What do you think draws you into these seemingly ordinary moments? For example, can you comment on the observation of the scene that inspired The Fountain and how you transformed into this deeper meaning beyond observation?
Ming Wang: I often take photos as a way of documenting scenes that capture my attention in daily life. What draws me to a particular moment varies—sometimes, it’s how light interacts with a space; other times, it’s an object’s form, texture, or atmosphere. Sometimes, the scene provokes an emotion or a memory. The fountain originated from a photograph I took in a park near my studio on a cloudy day. While the painting’s color palette remains close to reality, I made a change to the ground, replacing the stone surface with a deep, solid teal shape that evokes the feeling of water. At the time, I was navigating a period of uncertainty, and I found myself identifying with the fountain—standing alone in what felt like deep water, displaced, and uneasy, as if the very ground beneath me could transform into something unfamiliar at any moment.
TUSSLE: Ashley, how do you see Wang’s work as encouraging mindfulness in an overstimulated world?
Ashley Ouderkirk: Yes, we live in an incredibly overstimulated world, and trying to keep up—whether to stay informed or entertained—can feel exhausting in the digital age. I think we need more analog experiences—engaging with real, tangible, physical objects—to ground us in the present moment. Ming’s paintings are a reminder to do this, capturing quiet, everyday scenes of objects and places we often overlook, creating opportunities for us to simply observe. There’s no manipulation, no hidden message trying to sell us something—an authentic moment of peace, free from distraction, allowing us to reconnect with our thoughts and emotions. It’s much like looking out a window—letting yourself pause and take in the world as it is.
TUSSLE: Both of you approach ideas of perception and memory in different ways — Ming, through your painting process, and Ashley, through the curation of this exhibition. How do you hope visitors will engage with these themes?
Ming Wang: Most of my paintings are tied to a specific memory or emotional state that lingers over time, though the imagery remains ambiguous. I want to create spaces within the painting where viewers can situate themselves—either as a protagonist within the scene or as an observer, looking in as if through a window. In Blue Shadow, for example, when a viewer stands in front of the painting, the painted shadow merges with their own, creating a moment of connection. I want my paintings to serve as an entrance, inviting viewers to connect with their own memories and experiences.
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Ashley Ouderkirk: I believe one of the most powerful experiences you can have with an artwork is a personal connection—when a piece resonates with you, whether through its mood or narrative. In curating this exhibition, I wanted to create an environment that allows for different modes of engagement. The physical layout of the space offers visitors multiple ways to connect—whether through an intimate, close-up viewing experience or from a greater distance to take in a large work—while the accompanying didactic texts provide an opportunity for those interested in delving deeper into each painting. Both approaches are designed to make the exhibition feel accessible and inviting. When visitors feel at ease, they’re more likely to tap into their own memories and perspectives, fostering a more personal and meaningful interaction with the art.

Installation View: FOU GALLERY, 89 F:fth Avenue, #701, New York, US, Ming Wang; Through Lingering Windows, Jan 11, 2025 - Mar 8, 2025