Kristen Liu-Wong on Danger, Duality, and Her Candy-Colored Art
Kristen Liu-Wong, an artist from Los Angeles, explores the theme of duality in her vibrant paintings that incorporate acrylics, paint pens, and markers. In a June 2020 interview, she shared how her early encounters with violence influenced her artwork, which juxtaposes somber themes with vivid colors. Her inspirations include Picasso's "Guernica," Käthe Kollwitz's "Woman With Dead Child," and Kara Walker's "Gone: An Historical Romance of a Civil War." Originally from San Francisco, Liu-Wong studied at Pratt Institute, transitioning her color palette from warm to bright tones. She has worked with RVCA, created beer can designs and Vans sneakers, and is preparing for a postponed exhibition with Luke Pelletier at Superchief Gallery, reflecting on her creative process during the pandemic.
Key facts
- Kristen Liu-Wong is a Los Angeles artist known for candy-colored paintings with dangerous themes.
- She cites Picasso's 'Guernica,' Käthe Kollwitz's 'Woman With Dead Child,' and Kara Walker's 'Gone: An Historical Romance of a Civil War' as influences.
- Liu-Wong studied at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where a 'Light, Color, and Design' class influenced her palette.
- Her early work in high school focused on pen and ink and graphite, using cross-hatching.
- She has collaborated with RVCA on bathing suits, designed beer can labels, and Vans sneakers.
- A collaborative show with Luke Pelletier at Superchief Gallery was delayed from November 2020 due to a neighboring building explosion and COVID-19.
- An August 2020 show at New Image Art's Project Room allowed viewing appointments.
- Liu-Wong realigned her habits after her 28th birthday in September 2019, focusing on health and breaks.
Entities
Artists
- Kristen Liu-Wong
- Pablo Picasso
- Käthe Kollwitz
- Kara Walker
- Luke Pelletier
Institutions
- Pratt Institute
- RVCA
- Vans
- Superchief Gallery
- New Image Art
- Hi-Fructose
Locations
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Brooklyn