KV Duong
About the Artist
KV Duong is Vietnamese-Canadian, and a London based painter and action artist. His work focuses on personal identity, migration, sexuality and human relationships. He draws from personal experiences growing up in Saigon, Toronto and London to explore the integration and conflict of Eastern and Western cultures and values.
There is a sense of urgency and vulnerability in the artist’s explorative use of material and texture: works on packaging cardboard are a tribute his parents’ factory work in Canada; works on carbon fibre polymer are reflective of his structural engineering background; works on mulberry paper and ink are inspired by the mediums used by the Asian calligraphy masters.
KV’s body paintings further extend self and emotional expression by including the physicality of space and movement with monochromatic acrylic paint. The intimacy and interaction of skin, canvas and paint is explored. He is drawn to this physical method for its often unsettling quality and intense yet transient nature.
KV Duong is Vietnamese-Canadian, and a London based painter and action artist. His work focuses on personal identity, migration, sexuality and human relationships. He draws from personal experiences growing up in Saigon, Toronto and London to explore the integration and conflict of Eastern and Western cultures and values.
There is a sense of urgency and vulnerability in the artist’s explorative use of material and texture: works on packaging cardboard are a tribute his parents’ factory work in Canada; works on carbon fibre polymer are reflective of his structural engineering background; works on mulberry paper and ink are inspired by the mediums used by the Asian calligraphy masters.
KV’s body paintings further extend self and emotional expression by including the physicality of space and movement with monochromatic acrylic paint. The intimacy and interaction of skin, canvas and paint is explored. He is drawn to this physical method for its often unsettling quality and intense yet transient nature.
The Artworks (Ashurst Art Collection 2019)
KV’s current body of work “Identity”, focuses on the merger of Chinese ink on mulberry paper with acrylic on canvas. He is exploring the Chinese oracle writing and calligraphy, constructing and deconstructing the characters into abstract forms. The process of construction and deconstruction is further explored physically (paper ripping), emotionally (i.e. chain mark making) and intellectually (understanding about the roots of the Chinese language).
The Chinese poem inscribed in this artwork was written by Zhang Jiuling, a prominent minister and scholar of the Tang Dynasty. The essence of this poem is about missing one’s family or lover at a full-moon night, for if I’m starring at the same moon at the same time as them, then we are together in thought.
The Chinese poem inscribed in this artwork was written by Zhang Jiuling, a prominent minister and scholar of the Tang Dynasty. The essence of this poem is about missing one’s family or lover at a full-moon night, for if I’m starring at the same moon at the same time as them, then we are together in thought.
Looking At The Moon And Thinking Of One Far Away - Zhang Jiuling
The moon, grown full now over the sea, Brightening the whole of heaven, Brings to separated hearts The long thoughtfulness of night…. It is no darker though I blow out my candle. It is no warmer though I put on my coat. So I leave my message with the moon And turn to my bed, hoping for dreams. |
《望月怀远》- 張 九 齡
還 不 披 滅 竟 情 天 海 寢 堪 衣 燭 夕 人 涯 上 夢 盈 覺 憐 起 怨 共 生 佳 手 露 光 相 遙 此 明 期 贈 滋 滿 思 夜 時 月 |
Artist CV
Education
BA & MA Structural Engineering - University of Toronto
Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
2019
Queer Frontiers (live body painting performance), 8-10 Brewer St (London UK)
Mutated Landscapes, Trinity Art Gallery (London UK)
Elevate - ArtCan Group exhibition, Duff and Phelps at the Shard (London, UK)
Dulwich Art Festival, Old College Lawn Tennis Club (London UK)
Art Revolution Taipei International Competition, Taipei World Trade Center Hall (Taipei, Taiwan)
2018
Summer Exhibition, Concept Space (London, UK)
Opening Line, Crossways Gallery (Cambridge, UK)
Flux, The Chelsea College of Art (London, UK)
Artrooms 2018, Melia White House Hotel (London, UK)
Winter Salon - Group exhibition private view, live body painting performance debut, Concept Space (London, UK)
Article 25’s 10x10 Charity Auction, 22 Bishop’s Gate (London, UK)
It’s Art Call Competition, After Nyne Gallery (London, UK)
Platform for Emerging Arts 19, Leyden Gallery (London, UK)
2017
Tribe 17, OXO Bargehouse (London, UK)
Dulwich Art Festival, Old College Lawn Tennis Club (London, UK)
Focus LDN Winter Collection, Menier Gallery (London, UK)
2016
Tribe 16, Ugly Duck (London, UK)
Derwent Art Prize, Shortlisted artist for "Mom, are we home yet? Part I", Malls Gallery (London, UK)
Solo Exhibitions
2019
Solo Exhibition, RB12 (London UK)
2018
Identity, Streatham Space Project (London, UK)
Education
BA & MA Structural Engineering - University of Toronto
Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
2019
Queer Frontiers (live body painting performance), 8-10 Brewer St (London UK)
Mutated Landscapes, Trinity Art Gallery (London UK)
Elevate - ArtCan Group exhibition, Duff and Phelps at the Shard (London, UK)
Dulwich Art Festival, Old College Lawn Tennis Club (London UK)
Art Revolution Taipei International Competition, Taipei World Trade Center Hall (Taipei, Taiwan)
2018
Summer Exhibition, Concept Space (London, UK)
Opening Line, Crossways Gallery (Cambridge, UK)
Flux, The Chelsea College of Art (London, UK)
Artrooms 2018, Melia White House Hotel (London, UK)
Winter Salon - Group exhibition private view, live body painting performance debut, Concept Space (London, UK)
Article 25’s 10x10 Charity Auction, 22 Bishop’s Gate (London, UK)
It’s Art Call Competition, After Nyne Gallery (London, UK)
Platform for Emerging Arts 19, Leyden Gallery (London, UK)
2017
Tribe 17, OXO Bargehouse (London, UK)
Dulwich Art Festival, Old College Lawn Tennis Club (London, UK)
Focus LDN Winter Collection, Menier Gallery (London, UK)
2016
Tribe 16, Ugly Duck (London, UK)
Derwent Art Prize, Shortlisted artist for "Mom, are we home yet? Part I", Malls Gallery (London, UK)
Solo Exhibitions
2019
Solo Exhibition, RB12 (London UK)
2018
Identity, Streatham Space Project (London, UK)