Christine Nguyen

Stars, Constellations, and Sunflowers
Stars, Constellations, and Sunflowers, 2023 cyanotype, salt crystals and silver leaf on cotton paper, 71 x 59.75 inches

"My work draws upon the imagery of nature, the sciences, and the cosmos but it is not limited to a conventional reading of these realms. It imagines that the depths of the ocean reach into outer space, that through an organic prism, vision can fluctuate between the micro- and macroscopic. In my current series, 'Stars, Constellations and Sunflowers’ life-size sunflowers are meticulously cultivated or harvested in the summer to create the cyanotypes - a 19th century photographic process. Sunflowers, dirts, grasses, rocks and leaves are place on light sensitive large cotton paper and then exposed in the sunlight. The are then washed in water fixing the image and as they dry the blues deepens. I hand gild silver leaf and grow salt crystals on the final works. The salt crystals evoke a sense of organic growth of nature and stars, while the hand-gilded silver leaf references cosmic dust, pollen and spores. I believe there are links between the microscopic intricacies of our Earth and the vast expanses of macrocosmic celestial space. Through this body of work, I invite viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of all things, encouraging a shift in perspective that transcends conventional boundaries and invites a deeper appreciation for the wonders of our universe while being kind to it and others." - Christine Nguyen, Artist Statement
STARS, CONSTELLATIONS AND SUNFLOWERS (9) , 2023

cyanotype, salt crystals and silver leaf on cotton paper

71 x 59.75 inches
- Artworks
  Christine Nguyen
  Stars, Constellations and Sunflowers (8), 2023
  cyanotype, salt crystals and silver leaf on cotton paper
  71 x 59.75 inches
- Artworks
  Christine Nguyen
  Stars, Constellations and Sunflowers (7), 2023
  cyanotype, salt crystals and silver leaf on cotton paper
  
  71 x 59.75 inches
Cosmic Light Series
Christine Nguyen’s ethereal series of Mylar drawings invites viewers into a dreamlike landscape where terrestrial and celestial realms dissolve into one another. In these works, organic elements—birds, animals, trees, and flowers—exist in harmony with cosmic forces, forming an interconnected web of life that bridges the microscopic and the infinite. At the heart of the series is the diptych Cosmic Universe Lightness, a luminous centerpiece that encapsulates Nguyen’s vision of the fluid relationship between Earth and the cosmos.
Nguyen’s approach is informed by her fascination with both natural history and the cosmos, blurring distinctions between oceanic depths and interstellar space, between planetary orbits and organic root systems. Her delicate, hand-drawn linework, combined with the fluid transparency of Mylar, creates a layered, multidimensional effect. The pastel hues and soft washes of color imbue the work with a luminous, almost otherworldly glow, reinforcing the idea that these environments exist beyond conventional spatial or temporal constraints.
The Mylar medium itself plays a critical role in Nguyen’s practice, allowing light to filter through and creating a sense of weightlessness. This ephemeral quality aligns with her interest in impermanence, cycles of growth and decay, and the ever-shifting relationships between living organisms and the greater cosmos. In works such as Cosmic Sunflower Planets, plant life becomes celestial, its structure reminiscent of planetary formations and solar systems. Similarly, in Cosmic Universe Lightness, natural elements—trees, water, and air—interact fluidly with cosmic and atmospheric forces, merging into a singular, interconnected vision.
Nguyen’s artistic philosophy embraces a holistic perspective on nature, emphasizing the symbiotic relationships between all things. She encourages a shift in perception that moves beyond rigid boundaries, instead fostering an appreciation for the fluidity of existence. Whether depicting a lone coyote standing beneath an aurora-like sky or an owl perched in a landscape of floating orbits and blooming flora, Nguyen’s works suggest a meditative space where science, mythology, and imagination coalesce.

Through this body of work, Nguyen extends an invitation to explore a world where the ocean and sky are indistinguishable, where cosmic light filters through the branches of earthly trees, and where each living being—no matter how small—is part of an infinite, interconnected whole. Her work serves as a gentle reminder of the universe’s inherent unity and the delicate beauty that exists within its endless cycles of transformation.
Christine Nguyen was born and raised in California and currently resides in Aurora, Colorado and also works in Long Beach, California. She is a lover of animals, plants, and nature.

She received her B.F.A from California State University, Long Beach and M.F.A from University of California, Irvine. Exhibitions of her work have been shown nationally and internationally. Her works can be found in various collections such as the J.Paul Getty Museum Department of Photographs, Getty Research Institute, Armand Hammer Museum, Grunwald Center for Graphic Art, Los Angeles World Airport’s Collection, Cedars- Sinai in Los Angeles, CA; Burger Collection, Hong Kong; The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Hanoi, Vietnam; Long Beach Museum of Art, Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum in Long Beach, California; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; and Microsoft Collection.

She is currently a 2022-2024 Redline Artist in Residence in Denver, CO. She has been an Artist In Residence at Montello Foundation, NV ; Pacific Bonsai Museum, WA; Gyeongju Int. Residency Art Festa 2018, S Korea; Theodore Payne Foundation, CA, BaikArt with Cemeti Art House, Indonesia; U.S Dept. of Interior- BLM Eastern interior AIR, Alaska; Wildfjords (WFAR), Iceland; Montalvo Art Center, CA; Tamarind Institute, NM; and the Headlands Center for the Arts, CA.