Eddie Kang

Painter
Seoul, South Korea

Eddie Kang

Bio

(b. 1980) ; 2003 BFA in Fine Art: Film, Animation, Video, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, RI, US. Kang’s work, characterized by thick contour lines, use of primary colors, and narrative images—similar to the properties of comics—is often categorized as a new style called ‘animamix,’ which refers to a combination of animation and comics. Employing the characteristics of the familiar genre known as comics, the artist not only evokes pure childhood emotions but has dreamed up a utopian space into which he invites our exhausted contemporaries to take a rest. Kang’s playful paintings feature a cast of teddy bears, puppies, dolls and most recently the Yeti, meant to serve as companions to city dwellers who feel isolated in an increasingly digital world. Eddie Kang has considered art as a medium for conveying happiness.

INSPIRATION
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Colors are like emotions to me. I have always wanted to convey positive messages through my works. So I try to think about good, happy memories before I work and apply that emotion to my colors. To me, creating is like recording my life chapter by chapter. So very emotional and personal.

HIGHLIGHTS
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Selected Solo Exhibitions

2023 Crossroad, Gana Art LA, LA, US

2022 Then we will walk through the dark, Gana Art Bogwang, Seoul, Korea

2021 Marching toward the light, Lucie Chang Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2020 We will be Alright, Paradise ZIP, Seoul, Korea

2019 Don’t Forget the Magic, Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA, US

Lifecycle Exhibition, Sea World Culture and Arts Centre, Shenzen, China

2018 Love me or hate me, I always love you, Luohu Art Museum, Shenzen, China

Weep not, Gana Art Hannam, Seoul, Korea

2017 Forever Young, Lucie Chang Fine Art, Hong Kong

Big City Life, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Hong Kong

2016 Big City Life Loveless, Sandra Gering Inc., New York, NY, US

2014 In the Woods, Seoul Auction Gangnam, Seoul, Korea

2011 Storyteller, Gallery IHN, Seoul, Korea

2010 Eddie’s Life Play, Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

2009 Tokyo Reflection, Unseal Contemporary, Tokyo, Japan

2008 I am waiting for you, Park Ryu Sook Gallery, Shanghai, China

I am a bear, Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan



Selected Group Exhibitions

2023 Together, Paradise Art Space, Incheon, Korea

2021 Reflections: HUMAN / NATURE, Gana Art Nineone, Seoul, Korea

2020 River of Inspiration, Gana Art Sounds, Seoul, Korea

My name is, LG U+ Flagship Store, Seoul, Korea

Reflections: Open Ended, Gana Art Hannam, Seoul, Korea

Believing is Seeing, Gana Art Nineone, Seoul, Korea

2019 Reflections, Gana Art Center, Seoul, Korea

Gwangju Design Biennale, Gwangju, Korea

Popeye 90th Anniversary, China

Chanel Exhibition, Tribeca Film Festival, New York, NY, US

2018 Chanel Exhibition, Tribeca Film Festival, New York, NY, US

2015 Whispering Forest, Gallery IHN, Seoul, Korea

2013 Eddie Kang&Bahk Seon-Ghi: Reconstruction and Recollection, Times Square, Hong Kong

Crafted, Temp Art Space, New York, NY, US

2012 Dialogs: Korean Contemporary Arts, Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

Future Pass, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China

2011 54th Venice Biennale: Future Pass, Abbazia di San Gregorio, Venice, Italy

2010 New Year Rabbit Book, Shinsegae Gallery, Seoul, Korea

2009 New Animamix, Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

My favorite Things, Unseal Contemporary, Tokyo, Japan

2008 Hybrid, JK Space, Seoul, Korea

Cross Culture, Seoul Arts Center, Seoul, Korea

2007 3rd Life 4th Dimension, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan

Animamix Biennial, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai, China

Alone Together Part II, Chairs on the Hill, Seoul, Korea



Selected Projects
2022 NBA (National Basketball Association) Collaboration
2021 J-HOPE’s album Blue Side cover design
Art Busan, Bexco, Busan, Korea
2020 Outdoor Sculpture, The Grand SUMORUM, Jeju, Korea
Outdoor Sculpture, Alleyway, Incheon, Korea
2019 Public Sculpture, K11, Tianjin, China
2018 Save the Loveless, MCM Global Collaboration
2016 LG G5 Collaboration
2014 Moneual Collaboration, Seoul SPC Square, Seoul, Korea
2011 Happy Cells, Hera Collaboration, Amore Pacific, Seoul, Korea
2010 Age Away, Hera Collaboration, Amore Pacific, Seoul, Korea
2009 ‘Series’ Corner, Eddie Kang Edition, KOLON Fnc, Seoul, Korea
2008 Wall Drawing, Stage 1, Beijing, China
Wall Drawing, Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2007 Room for Children, Daewoo Prugio Model House, Seoul, Korea
Action Painting Performance, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan
Wall Drawing, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai, China

ARTIST STATEMENT
"The parting isn't the end of the whole thing. The maternal love will always be around. With the yeti, we can't really see them, but if you believe in it, you will feel its presence in every corner."

Studio Beats

Listen to some of Eddie's favorites.