Art Talk | Killion Huang

 

 For Killion Huang, his creative journey has increasingly turned towards "self-examination." During his transition from the United States back to his home country, he has been observing and understanding the conditions of minority groups in different societies, extracting the typical and the unified from these observations.

 

However, for minority groups, is the "typical" and "unified" image an effective consolidation of voices and resistance, or does it act as a cage that confines diverse individuals?

 

Through the wandering of his brush, he quietly records and observes in his intricate depictions, adopting a perspective that imposes no opinions. In this silent scrutiny of others and himself, he seeks to find answers, or perhaps just the pursuit itself.

 

 

 

 

Firefly , 2023

100h x 80w cm

© Courtesy of the artist

 

 Killion pursued his studies in the United States, frequently exhibits his works in Belgium, and currently resides and creates in Foshan. Different lands alternate in his world, continuously expanding his understanding and finding ways to dwell within and extend outward.

 

When asked about the differences in creating and exhibiting in various environments, he noted that exhibitions in his home country seem more grand and tense.

 

 

Installation view of The Retinue of Dionysus, February 29, 2024 - April 14, Nan Ke Gallery, Shanghai ©  Courtesy of Nan Ke Gallery

 

"Domestic audiences tend to focus more on technique, so with every exhibition, I constantly question myself: Have I painted well enough? Have I touched and expressed my limits?"

 

Speaking about the exhibition "The Retinue of Dionysus" at Nan Ke Gallery, Killion felt that it revealed more possibilities for the domestic art scene to explore a more "stream of consciousness" narrative style. As a starting point for his development in his home country, he now feels more inclined to explore and experiment further.

 

 

Installation view of Silhouetted Love, November 15, 2023 - December 21, EDJI Gallery, Bruxelles ©  Courtesy of EDJI Gallery and the artist

 

 

Calla Lily Ave , 2023

80h x 80w cm

© Courtesy of the artist

 

Recently, Killion's exhibition schedule has been quite busy. He has both a solo and a group exhibition planned for September and October, respectively. His new insights and understandings in his creative process will be expressed in these upcoming shows.

 

"I feel it's about capturing and retaining elements from my previous works. This year, I've delved deeper into the theme of 'self-examination.' It's like a boat naturally drifting to this point in the flowing water."

 

Bye-bye New York , 2023

80h x 100w cm

© Courtesy of the artist

 

 

Coincidentally, he recently encountered an image that resonated with him: "A lion in sheep's clothing, mingling with the flock. It’s like an old fable." When amidst a group, before choosing to go with the flow or self-exile, one must undergo a rigorous process of self-examination and introspection.

 

 

In Killion's work, the elements of observational perspective and mirror reflection repeatedly appear. Through these elements, he reflects the characteristic actions and expressions of minority groups, thereby deconstructing and scrutinizing the individuals within them.

 

"When talking about the queer community, many words might instantly come to mind to summarize a 'typical' image. In the rush of this torrent, are there many more vivid images that are overshadowed by the splash?

 

Are you really as the stereotypes describe? Or is there, beneath that, a quieter, or perhaps louder; more manic, or more melancholic core that truly makes you feel comfortable and aligned?"

 

 KillIon Huang

80h x 80w cm

© Courtesy of the artist

  

In his new series of works, mirrors reflect not only the self but also the friends he observes in life, experiencing emotions and betrayals. Some figures are typical, exuding strong physical allure; others are more obscure, revealing the shadows beneath the surface. While these various images may not fully explain an entire group, the core beyond the labels is worth seeing and focusing on.

 

Following this theme of "gaze," Killion places many of his subjects in narrow, intimate spaces: "My idea is to accept the natural state of my subjects as much as possible, to record a relatively true picture of life, and to try to make the clues displayed traceable."

 

 

黄加煜 KillIon Huang

深呼吸 Deep Breath , 2024

布面油画  Oil on canvas

60h x 50w cm

© Courtesy of the artist

 

 

 For Killion, the creative process itself is relaxed, life-oriented, and sincere. He consistently employs a kind and genuine perspective to document and uncover the moments he observes. Some of these moments are filled with intense breakthroughs, while others are quiet and composed. In his raw and unembellished revelations, he presents expressions of life's postures to the viewer, akin to straightforward conversations between close friends.

 

Text by Roxane Fu