LA 2002 Print

Taiyou is a contemporary artist, born in Washington DC ,who moved to Los Angeles as a young adult, and draws deep inspiration from a diverse range of subcultures that shaped his formative years. From traversing the West Coast through skateboarding and hitchhiking to immersing in the electronic music scene, desert landscapes, and the culture of Burning Man, these experiences infuse his artistic creations and to some degree his American Filipino roots. Los Angeles’ vibrant street art scene also injects his vision with its raw energy. What distinguishes this artist's body of work is the seamless fusion of formal and informal elements echoing the Neo expressionist movement as it intersects with contemporary practice. Meticulously weaving fine linear marks and abstract shapes into the structured compositions, the artist achieves a remarkable depth and layering reminiscent of Symbolist painters such as Odilon Redon and Gustave Moreau. This technique also echoes the expressive style of contemporary graffiti artists, known for their adept use of line and color to convey intense emotions, that invite viewers into the emotional realm of the artwork. In the vein of Francis Picabia, much of the body of the artists work is multi genre spanning over time multiple styles , with an underlying recognisable technique. Notably, the artist's creations reveal an inherent Asian influence in their structural essence, adding a compelling layer to the narrative. Each piece serves as a potent and evocative exploration of the human condition, thoughtfully juxtaposed against the backdrop of our contemporary world, questioning and reflecting our place in the evolving universe.