On the Road

Paintings by Suong Yangchareon

Curators: Gordon McClelland & Austin McClelland

November 23, 2019 through - March 29, 2020

The California Heritage Museum is pleased to present “On the Road”, Paintings by Suong Yangchareon. The exhibition will open Saturday, November 23, 2019 and will continue through Sunday, March 29, 2020. Curators of the exhibit are Gordon McClelland and Austin McClelland.

When the California car culture first developed in the 1920s, those who owned automobiles often set out on a drive with no particular destination in mind. They would just go wherever the roads took them and enjoyed seeing new sights and meeting new people. Early motorists called these adventures taking a “Joy Ride” or if it was going to last for an extended period of time a “Road Trip”.

Suong Yangchareon grew up in Thailand watching Hollywood movies, especially westerns and film noir movies filmed on location in rural ranch and farming communities, small California towns and on side streets of larger cities. After fulfilling his dream of settling in Southern California, Suong set out on joy rides and road trips to see in person, places that reminded him of feelings he got when viewing interesting California scenes that appeared in the films of his childhood.

Many of the 1930s to 1950s era buildings in rural towns were still standing. Most often the structures were abandoned, but dilapidated and faded signage identified what type of business was previously at the location. The textures, colors and soulful imagery made a deep imprint on this artist’s psyche and inspired him to produce art that visually conveys what he was feeling and seeing.

More about the artist:

Suong Yangchareon came to the U.S. in 1974 and now lives in Eagle Rock. He specializes in detailed, almost photorealistic paintings. – mostly of Los Angeles and environs, but also of small towns he discovers in California.  His paintings often capture California days at the height of afternoon, when the sun is hot and most people are indoors, so the streets and sidewalks are empty under a blazing blue sky. But there’s also an aura of expectancy in his works – a feeling that as the day wears on, people will come out and activity will resume.  

Suong Yangchareon is represented by the Paul Thiebaud Gallery.