In June of 2012, artists Chris Wheeler and Nha Vuu merged Chris Wheeler Contemporary Design and Nha Vuu Studio and Design to form what is now Pergamena Fine Art.
Both lovers of art and travel, Chris and Nha spent nearly five years in Taiwan developing their crafts. While in Taiwan, Chris studied art, specifically Chinese landscape painting and calligraphy, but more importantly he learned how to mount works on paper for scrolls and shoji screens. With this skill the artist was able to stretch and manipulate paper in ways very few people can. Almost instantly he began creating his own art using this technique. Chris has restored works of art on paper for galleries, Asian antique dealers and collectors from all over the country. His work has been shown at The Smithsonian Craft Show and other prestigious juried art shows around the country.
Nha spent her time studying both traditional and contemporary styles of Chinese painting techniques under two masters, Lin Ruo-Yin and Cai Mao-Song. Master Lin schooled Nha in a classical style of painting that serves a foundation of all Chinese art and dates back several thousands of years. Under Master Lin’s teaching Nha developed the traditional principles of unity, balance and movement. Master Cai on the other hand, taught Nha a contemporary style of Chinese painting only developed in the last fifty years. Master Cai’s work emphasizes superior brushstroke in order to lend density, depth and an expressive power to mountain, trees, rocks and landscapes. The traditional painter uses fine solid strokes while modern painter utilizes textured brushstrokes. Nha Vuu, a student of both schools, has combined the two methods to create her own unique body of work.
