Installation shot of "In Motion"
It is too easy to mistake them to be actual car tires. Sitting in three neat rows at the back of the gallery wall, nine round canvases were painted in hyper realistic detail. The artist effortlessly captures the curve of the wheel, the dim shine of each lug nut, the gleam of the rim encased in thick black rubber. You can almost see your reflection staring back from the silver. These various aesthetics of the tires, all subtle yet insistent in its detail, were the main criteria for Chinese painter Kang Haoxian in considering his subject matter.
In his latest solo exhibition “In Motion”, Kang highlights the integral part cars have in modern society. To the painter, the world is a garage, filled not only with “cars” but a myriad of complex human emotions. “I love driving cars,” said Kang, “Cars are something that we come in contact with every day, thus they become a part of our daily lives. Cars are also one of the greatest inventions of human civilization, broadening our horizons and enriching our every day. Overtime, they also became a symbol of wealth, status and personal taste.“
As quotidian as they appear to be, these complex social functions are the reason why the Beijing artist chose cars to be the titular focus of his exhibition. Observing the different varieties of designs, craftsmanship, and functions, he believes car tires capture the desires and pursuits of people. “I hope the eyes of my audience will also light up upon seeing the familiar gleam of the wheels,” he said.
Kang Haoxian, I enjoy my own tranquility, 2024.
Kang’s paintings reflect the sense of intimate, personal space one would feel from sitting inside a car, transforming the gallery into a place of contemplation and reflection. He quietly captures the different visual senses of his audience through the little details on his canvas, such as the gentle glint of the car door and the smudge marks created by the windshield wiper. I enjoy my own tranquility (2024) is painted in the perspective of someone sitting in their car. The view of the outside is covered in a deep red, with layers of white seemingly dripping all over the front glass. Unsettling and claustrophobic, the car serves as a safe barrier from the eerie feeling - an encapsulation of the momentary peace one feels sitting inside their car, before stepping out to face the stress and trepidation of reality.
Kang Haoxian, Insomnia, 2024.
Hong Kong Night (2024) offers a different relationship between people and vehicles. This painting was inspired by the glamorous scenes the artist saw during Art Basel, where Kang watched different guests arrive in a similar grandiose fashion. The female figure stares right into the audience as she steps out of her car, the sleek black vehicle becoming a glamorous accessory to her appearance. The spray-paint technique Kang employs further gives the work an air-brushed finish, sharp lines contrasting the dark car with the pale skin of the woman.
Kang Haoxian, Hong Kong Night, 2024.
However, the various details Kang chooses to incorporate in his works may not be understood by everyone. Paintings such as Live Free or Die (2024) may leave audiences with more questions than answers: Why is the car plate “520 1314”, a known internet phrase meaning “I love you forever and always” in Chinese? Why is there a reflection of a woman putting on makeup in the rear mirror? Why is the mirror covered in gray?
“This ‘uncertainty’ may not be something everyone can easily understand, so choosing how to tackle this element is a bit of a challenge for me, ” said Kang, “The difficulty for me as an artist is the issue of trade-offs in the painting process. I am not a person who likes to complete the work step by step - rather, the ‘uncertainty’ in my work can lead to unexpected effects.” So while the details painted on by Kang are deliberate, he also welcomes the new ideas that are continuously developed from his works.
Exhibition view of "In Motion".
“‘In motion’ [as a title] is such a dynamic description,” said Kang, “It is reflective of our society, which is always in motion, as well as my paintings. I also hope that my work can continue to move forward. In the future, cars should and will still be the element I use in my works.”
