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.