Before the Unseen: Inaugural Artist Residency Programme at The Whiteley London

3812 Gallery is thrilled to present "Before the Unseen", a solo exhibition showcasing young artist Thomas Ngan's (b.1995) dreamlike and mesmerising paintings. Featuring a body of new works created in 2025 as well as some old ones, the exhibition endeavors to capture Thomas's dynamic yet restrained brushwork, ethereal colour palette, and delicately balanced compositions, which vividly express the uncertainties of reality and the infinite possibilities of life. This exhibition will be on view at our London gallery from 16 January to 7 March 2026.

 

 

As the title suggests, “Before the Unseen” encapsulates Thomas's profound reflections on the inherent "duality" of art — the meticulous interplay between the “visible” and the “invisible”. Just as the curtain rises on a stage, his paintings unfold captivating narratives, with colours and brushstrokes hinting at deeper stories. Many intangible experiences — such as love, life, grace, or that guiding "light" which shapes our thoughts and perceptions — often lie hidden from view. Thomas aspires to foreground these profound spiritual meanings, enabling viewers to interpret them more deeply and resonate with their essence.

 

The new works in “Before the Unseen” invite viewers into the “behind-the-scenes” world of Thomas's artistry. Through his mysterious floral and innocent youthful imagery, his brushstrokes masterfuly merge elements of Van Gogh and Monet’s classics, the vibrant hues of Japanese Ukiyo-e, and the unique textures he has acquired from Chinese calligraphy. The artwork is primarily characterised by layered greens and blues, seemingly enveloped in a gentle haze, creating a poetic and melancholic atmosphere. Within this mist, viewers sense the presence of an otherworldly light, radiating romance and elegance, interweaving past, present, and future. This ethereal yet serene atmosphere allows us to transcend reality and step into the fantastical world crafted by the artist.

 

 

Thomas Ngan adopts a perspective of “intimate observation”, gently peering into lush thickets, provoking a strong sense of empathy in the viewer. The recurrent motifs of plants and natural textures in his work pay homage to realism and naturalism, vividly showcasing the vitality of nature. The figures that occasionally appear evoke the spirit of British naturalist artist George Clausen, together embodying a reflective melancholy. Thomas’s delicate and dynamic control of light — whether seeping through gaps, highlighting youthful figures, or quietly receding — recalls the impressionistic mastery of Monet; his emotional tension and immersive illusionary effects are ever-changing and omnipresent.

 

In his latest creative explorations, Thomas actively draws on the aesthetic qualities and expressive vocabulary of watercolour, integrating insights from other Eastern art forms to enrich the depth and breadth of his artistic practice. Abstract tones remain central to his artistic language, particularly his fascination with the emotional fluidity and power of line in Eastern art forms, including calligraphy, where the lines convey profound meanings in an abstract and poetic manner. A chance encounter with contemporary Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting) in Japan opened a new vein of inspiration for him. The "chemical reaction" generated between different pigments at the tip of his brush and the canvas — its variable and unpredictable effects — has captivated him. The nuanced lines and imagery evoke resonances of Japanese art and other Eastern aesthetic traditions, such as watercolour and Chinese landscape painting.

 

 

Despite his keen sensitivity to colour and texture, Thomas remains understated in his details, embracing fractured yet richly textured surfaces that naturally emerge within clean compositions. These elements amalgamate, creating a cohesive and dynamic visual intersection that thoroughly embodies the curatorial philosophy that 3812 has consistently upheld. Thomas's works cultivate a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, quietly engaging viewers and inviting them into the artistic realm he has created.

 

 

 

Each piece can be seen as a self-portrait of Thomas’s inner world, reflecting his emotions, values, and deep belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. These artworks invite viewers to interpret the artist and his unique creations from multiple dimensions, exploring the emotions and meanings he conveys.

 

Thomas Ngan is the inaugural participant in the 3812 Artist Residency Programme, which is designed to provide artists with invaluable local experiences in artistic practice and life, while facilitating exchange with other artists. Our new 3812 space in The Whitley London will promote meaningful cross-cultural dialogue. The two-month residency will conclude with unveiling a two-metre-high and six-metre-wide monumental work created during his stay in London — an endeavour we eagerly anticipate!