Your Sunshine Is Crying ? CHOWCIAOCHOW 1st Solo Exhibition

The 13A New Street Art Gallery is proud to present “Your Sunshine is Crying”, the first solo exhibition of works by the artist CHOWCIAOCHOW, who radiates artistic brilliance and shines on the international stage. The exhibition will feature over 30 of his artworks.

CHOWCIAOCHOW’s work has garnered the attention of top European and American singer Sam Smith, the “Prince of Love Songs.” His artwork has been prominently featured as Smith’s profile picture on social media, exposing CHOWCIAOCHOW’s artistic achievements to millions of international fans overnight. Riding this wave of personal international recognition, CHOWCIAOCHOW was invited by the widely acclaimed minimalist Swedish fashion brand COS to showcase his personal creations at their flagship store in Central. Collaborations with local artists are rare for COS, making this an unprecedented partnership. His stunning works have attracted many visitors eager to take photos and admire the art, resulting in a significant surge in CHOWCIAOCHOW’s personal visibility. This demonstrates that he is undoubtedly a Hong Kong artist who radiates artistic brilliance and shines on the international stage. Over the past few years, his work has gained immense popularity worldwide, establishing him as a sought-after and exceptional figure in the Hong Kong art scene. He has been actively preparing for this solo exhibition for some time and is finally set to hold his first solo showcase at 13A New Street Art Gallery this October.

In this exhibition, CHOWCIAOCHOW aims to remind the audience of a crucial message: that we should always pay attention to the emotions that those around us may be hiding. As an emotionally rich artist, each of his paintings conveys unique personal feelings, expressing his thoughts and the surrounding atmosphere, thereby resonating deeply with the audience. The focal point of the exhibition is the vibrant sun that we see everyday, which, despite its cheerful appearance, is depicted as crying. This stark contrast arises from the global pandemic in recent years. Despite having an optimistic and cheerful personality, CHOWCIAOCHOW has remained largely unaffected emotionally, even in the face of a century-defining public health crisis that has cast a shadow over the city. However, not everyone possesses such a sunny disposition. Through his series “Your Sunshine is Crying,” CHOWCIAOCHOW hopes to remind us to care for the emotions of those around us. Even a person who seems to radiate joy like the sun may be quietly suffering inside.

The tears shed nourish the sun, allowing it to grow sunflowers, which then once again present themselves in a joyful and beautiful manner. The English word for sunflower is “Sunflower,” and CHOWCIAOCHOW infuses humour into his work by creating a character called “Sun Crier,” inspired by this pun.

Sunlight is undoubtedly a key theme, extending to a powerful dragon spine banner resembling sun rays, both sharp and pointed. This shape is particularly beloved by CHOWCIAOCHOW, perhaps linked to his admiration for the spiky hairstyles in punk culture. Punk culture embraces the idea of daring to pursue one’s passions, and we too can be encouraged to boldly chase our own aspirations.

CHOWCIAOCHOW excels at boldly using colour combinations to create a unique personal style, with striking contrasts being an essential element of his work. The bold, clear, and powerful strokes combined with high saturation make the entire composition vibrant and lively. Rich compositions enhance the tension of the pieces, employing a playful approach to convey significant messages, allowing the audience to grasp the true meaning behind the artwork in a relaxed atmosphere.

Date: 11th – 27th Oct, 2024
Venue: 13a New Street Art Gallery, G/F, 13a New Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Time: 12:00 – 7:00pm (Closed on Monday, Tuesday)