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Lydia Nong

American, b.2001

Oranges Smell Good, 2025

Oil on linen

Lydia Nong received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio arts from Iowa State University in 2023. The following year, Iowa State University sponsored her artist residency at Mainframe Studios where she now has a permanent studio in room 244. Her work has been exhibited in multiple cities including Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Rapids and even London.

Lydia's paintings explore the strangeness of the human mind. Her work takes on a metaphoric narrative that describes her dreams, intrusive thoughts, and complex/ indescribable feelings. Often using the human form as a vehicle to communicate these metaphors, she feels "There is so much to be said in the way we conduct ourselves, and there is much to explore in our way of thinking."

Saw this on the “First Friday” event Mainframe Studios puts on each month.

This is even more stunning in person. Here’s more of her work.