Kila Cheung: Little Fires Everyone
7th September, 2024 – 28th September, 2024
GR gallery
255 Bowery
New York, NY, 10002
GR Gallery is pleased to present “Little Fires Everyone,” a solo exhibition by Kila Cheung, in collaboration with How2Work. For his first solo show in the U.S. Cheung will feature a new collection of work, including paintings on canvas, sculptures, and limited editions. Through this exhibition, Cheung explores the essence of daily life and the impact of collaboration, delving into the inner fires that define individuals and shape our contemporary existence.
For a long time, Kila Cheung has explored childhood memories, capturing the desire for joy and a sense of warmth and comfort through the recurring image of a little boy in his work. In “Little Fires Everyone,” Cheung shifts focus to uncover the inner energy of individuals navigating the complexities of contemporary life, each with their own inner child. The little characters featured in his artwork bridge the gap between universal childhood experiences and adult life, creating a dialogue between past memories and present realities.
Cheung’s work encourages viewers to reflect on their own lives by revisiting their past experiences and reinterpreting them through the lens of adulthood. By employing child-like expressions and imagery, Cheung invites the audience to reconsider their current existence and its connections to their formative years.
In this exhibition, Cheung deepens the exploration of connections—both between childhood memories and present life, and among individuals’ inner selves. He aims to soften and blur negative emotions such as anxiety and frustration through empathy and shared experience. Using warm colors and a playful, childish style, Cheung evokes a sense of youthful innocence that acts as a bridge between past and present. His artwork fosters a sense of collective healing and introspection, encouraging viewers to reconnect with their inner selves and reflect on their personal journeys.
Ultimately, “Little Fires Everyone” prompts the audience to question whether their own inner fire has dimmed and inspires them to reconnect with the present, thereby harmonizing with their surroundings and the world around them.
Kila Cheung (b.1986) is a Hong Kong-based artist who graduated with a degree from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and has been working on his artworks since 2017. His artworks span painting, sculpture, and wood carving, focusing on memories stemming from childhood and characteristic expressions, reflecting his ignorance, comicality, and desire to lead a romantic life.
Cheng has collaborated on several creative projects with international companies, including UNIQLO, IKEA, Kiehl’s, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Prudential. He was awarded the esteemed Young Design Talent Award in 2016 and the Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards in 2019. Recently, he has been collaborating with the creative design production How2Work based in Hong Kong.
Kila Cheung: Little Fires Everyone opens on the 7th of September, 2024 until the 28th of September, 2024 at GR gallery
©2024 GR Gallery
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