Will Barras in Hong Kong
Where he was down the street from Jasper Wong’s opening …we’re waiting for pix from the boy Barras now. Meanwhile he put us in touch with this gallery in Hong Kong and we decided to post about their event in the spirit of coincidence. I thought Will was in this show and wrote the following. Turns out he was down the street at Garageworks and just popped in for a cameo. Check out how smooth he is in photo opps ….
This show has two elements dear to my heart. If features limited Lebron James and while I am no sneakerhead, I come from Cleveland and hail the king. Also in the show was my main man Will Barras. Will supports Aston Villa, who is owned by the man who saved the Cleveland Browns. My old teammate mans their net. So loyal to my roots, I’m gladly going to share the news about the last show at the Above Second, the newest gallery in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong … where I have to go soon. Barras is there right now, Chaz is heading over at the end of the month and Nomad is leaving our Canary home for two weeks to go over for a solo show.
Show Title: Wham Bam Thank You M’am!!!
Opening Date: Feb 25th from 6-closing, Press Viewing 4-6pm
Wu YĂşe’s name literally means five moons in Chinese, while others might know him simply as Nyno. Born in Beijing in 1983, he joined his parents in 1991 in Paris where he has lived and studied ever since. He is a Paris based freelance artist, director, animator. His past work includes: a Kid Cudi’s “Day n’ Night” video with So-Me, “on the 5th moon” personal exhibition at Pigalle, TV commercials for O2, Onitsuka Tiger Koiklub video, a line of special edition one and only Lebron James sneakers, amongst others.
Jasper Wong has a frosty illustration style that developed around an odd and unhealthy obsession with the color pink, Mr. T, and magical laser beams. Yet somehow it all combines into his own unique clash of asian-influenced pop culture on paper. Jasper has had shows in Japan, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, France, London, Chicago, Mexico, Hawaii and Hong Kong and has been selected by archive magazine as one of the 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide two years in a row. He has also been recognized in prestigious art publications such as Communication Arts, Society Of Illustrators, American Illustration, Computer Arts Projects, Tokion, and Taschen’s Illustration Now.
Jasper Wong will be showing some brand spanking new work and collaborating with Wu Yue on the same canvases. Look out for art that has never before been seen in HK!Â
Above Second Gallery Statement:
Above Second is an artist-run gallery and studio space existing as a catalyst for the expanding new contemporary art movement exploding forth from the streets/ art schools/ design studios from around the world. Located in Sheung Wan, a very local part of Hong Kong Island in the Central and Western District, we exhibit a genre of work influenced by illustration, graphic design, graffiti, comic books, pop culture, and street art. We are aware of the growing interest for diversity and options the Hong Kong community craves for contemporary art. Promoting and nurturing the understanding of an alternative subculture, we have a network of local emerging young talent and international artists whose work is rarely exhibited in Asia.
Above Second’s aim is to challenge and captivate the audience with notions of unconventionality and quality. Our Art Residency programs are designed to provide a space for the visiting artists, without any limitations, as a setting to be progressive and innovate. They are encouraged to bring that raw creative energy (usually found on the streets) indoors, transforming our white walls into ingenious installations and departures from reality. We are proud to have collaborated with artists from Denmark, Italy, Australia, USA, UK, Mexico, China, and locally. Committed to nurturing young and talented artists, we have created a forum for launching their careers.
Passionate about stimulating and contributing to the Hong Kong cultural scene, our past exhibition spaces have included abandoned warehouses, pool halls, and shopping malls. The gallery is also known for producing artwork for Roxie, one of the most popular nightclubs in Central. It is our hope and dream that through our exhibitions and our open studio space, quality art is available for everybody to afford and enjoy.
