Let failure fuel your determination and ignite your persistence. Kila Cheung, a talented local artist, is renowned for his dedication to art, as well as his deep passion for skateboarding. Despite missing the prime years for learning skateboarding, Kila fearlessly took his first steps on a skateboard in his early thirties. Undeterred, he persisted, growing with every setback and injury he encountered along the way. This personal journey revealed his unwavering patience, tenacity, and formidable willpower.
Drawing inspiration from his personal frustrations and failures along the skateboarding journey, Kila hosts his solo exhibition once again at Gallery by the Harbour from 26 October to 19 November 2023, titled “Still”. This captivating exhibition showcases 14 distinct skateboard-themed artworks, including intricate paintings on canvas and skateboards, and striking large-scale art installations. The exhibition invites all to embrace failure, hold on to your passions and persistently challenge yourself through continuous practice.
As an added tribute to this special return after five years, Kila has magnified his iconic construction warning light art installation “Little Guys” in his previous exhibition to a towering height of 4 meters. This extraordinary art installation will shine at the shores of Victoria Harbour, casting its shimmering brilliance from the exact location where it was initially showcased at Pier 3 Car Park at Harbour City, starting from 26 October 2023.
Ten meticulously crafted artworks on used skateboard decks, showcasing Kila’s artistic ingenuity
A vibrant wave of skateboard art has swept the scene in recent years, with numerous artists venturing into painting on skateboards. However, Kila takes his artistic expression to new heights in this exhibition by creating his artworks on ten used skateboards, with three of them even being his own personal boards. Departing from the conventional, Kila deliberately opts to paint on the front side of the skateboard – the very surface where skaters find their footing – preserving the slide marks and varying degrees of wear, that symbolizes the dedication and effort of every skateboarder. Kila carves out miniature frames on these slender surfaces, measuring a mere 10mm in thickness, and paints multiple artworks inspired by skateboarding, encompassing his own experiences. These include depictions of skateboarding tricks such as the “Big Spin”, as well as capturing the emotions of frustration and the destructive nature that sometimes accompanies skateboarding, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind artistic creations.
Multifaceted exhibition: Uniting paintings, sculptures, and installation art to express skateboarding passion
Moreover, Kila draws inspiration from a range of skateboard-related influences, including hip-hop culture, Djing, and skate churches. These inspirations manifest in two captivating large-scale installation artworks and two striking paintings, spanning nearly two meters in width, effectively channelling Kila’s profound passion for skateboarding through an array of artistic mediums. For the first time, he ingeniously incorporates his paintings and sculpture into different settings, including a security booth and skate ramp, creating intriguing installation art. These creations offer the audience a multifaceted art exhibition, where seemingly contrasting environments harmoniously coexist. Kila deliberately avoids excessive explanations for his works, allowing room for viewers to engage with the art and imbue it with their own meanings. Furthermore, within the monumental paintings, the central figures convey a sense of injury and defeat in their gaze, yet they embody an unwavering will to persist in their skateboarding pursuits.
Return of construction warning light art installation: “Little Guys” enlarged to 4 meters, twinkling on Victoria Harbour Shore!
Back in 2018, Kila hosted his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, titled “Twinkle Twinkle Little Guys” at Gallery by the Harbour, Harbour City. Five years later, he has chosen to return to the same venue to showcase an enlarged version of one of the “Little Guys” art installation at Pier 3 Car Park, starting from 26 October 2023. Standing at an impressive height of 4 meters, the installation emits a twinkling glow, adding a touch of enchantment to the Victoria Harbour scenery. For Kila, these construction warning lights bear a resemblance to the revered Japanese deity, Jizo, symbolizing their role in safeguarding pedestrians and continuously reminding everyone of the prevailing road conditions. Their presence provides a sense of comfort and peace of mind.
Learn more about the “Twinkle Twinkle Little Guys” exhibition in 2018
Spread the joy and childhood wonder around the world through art
With a keen focus on painting and sculpture, Kila infuses his artworks with a sense of warmth and comfort. Since 2017, he has embarked on various art projects, including the widely acclaimed “Twinkle Twinkle Little Guys 30 Days Project”, which has mesmerized audiences worldwide. In recent years, Kila’s artistic endeavours have taken him to renowned international destinations such as New York, London, Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei and beyond, where his exhibitions have garnered great acclaim. Notably, Kila has also collaborated with brands such as Vans, UNIQLO, IKEA, Kiehl’s, and many others, solidifying his influential presence with the international art scene.
Kila Cheung’s Solo Exhibition “Still” Exhibition
Date: 26 October – 19 November 2023
Time: 11am – 10pm
Venue: Gallery by the Harbour (Shop 207, Level 2, Ocean Centre, Harbour City)
“Little Guys” Art Installation
Date: 26 October 2023 onwards
Venue: Pier 3 Car Park, Harbour City
