All the way from Los Angeles, painter Tim Biskup is to make his solo debut with “Space Madness” in Hong Kong this Thursday, bringing a band of exotic creatures of cheeky constitution to the KONG Art Space.
His artwork is layered in abstract, colourful, cartoonesque characters that are an artistic translation of himself… apparently. Bright psychedelics and animated faces warmly meet on a bold and playful emotional canvas of Biskup’s personal psyche.
“Disneyland and cartoons since birth, punk rock in the 80s, experimental music in the late 80s until present, and Ren & Stimpy in the 90s that led me into animation work until about 2000,” the 47-year-old artist told Coconuts Hong Kong.
“Constant work and play ever since. Lots of therapy and group therapy. Digging deep and finding out more about myself”, has led to an organic flow of development.
The title of this exhibition, “Space Madness”, for example, not only refers to an episode of Ren & Stimpy where the dysfunctional cartoon couple find themselves experiencing cabin fever in deep space, but also follows a common thematic depiction of Biskup’s own “particular madness”.
He commented, “I’ve always felt crazy in comparison to other people… The more I develop as an artist the more I have to accept that what makes me create the things that I do is what makes me different… I guess I’m using my particular madness in my work more than ever”.
“When you look at it [the artwork] you can see what I am all about. My fears and loves are all there. I just keep trying to go deeper and deeper into myself and show more of my range of feelings”.
“Space Madness” explores tropical caricatures and natural elements (portrayed through a surrealist and modernist lens).
“I imagine that they [creatures that appear in his work] are hidden deep in my subconscious mind and I can only reveal them by denying the obvious directions that I want to go,” the American said.
“I always want to make work that encourages people to keep looking at it. It’s like trapping people. That’s the goal, anyway.”
Will he trap you? There’s only one way to find out!
What: “Space Madness” by Tim Biskup
When: Aug. 27 – Sep. 27
Where: KONG Art Space, G/F, No. 3 Stauton Street, Central (Google Maps)
Price: FREE!
Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.
