Acrylic, aerosol and oil choke on canvas

57 × 50 cm. 22 1/2 × 19 3/4 in.

Signed in English and dated on the reverse
PROVENANCE
Lucie Chang Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

Enlivened Spirits under Humourous Brushwork
DIEGO's Free Spirit

DIEGO is a towering figure in Japanese street art. He has been making graffiti on the street for more than ten years under different names, leaving highly distinguishable marks. His work is unique in the use of humorous cartoon images to illustrate the concept of animism in Japan. In 2018, he was discovered by Takashi Murakami and invited to hold a solo exhibition at his art space, Hidari Zingaro. In the same year, he participated in Bubble Wrap, an exhibition curated by Murakami at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Kumamoto, and Art Basel Hong Kong, receiving widespread critical acclaim. Since then, he has held numerous solo exhibitions in Tokyo and collaborated with fashion brands such as APPLE BUTTER STORE. After the Paint, was created in 2019, when DIEGO amazed people with bursts of rich imagination. The painting is filled with miniature anthropomorphic characters in the artist's unique personal style, showcasing his whimsical ideas.

After the Paint brings us to the corners of the city. Enormous red English letters embedded with white rivets, a network of twisting pipes and grey iron staircases constitute the rigid skeleton of the industry. Among them are lime yellow, rosy pink, sky blue, and burgundy colours like neon signs. Looking alive, the yellow doodle in the centre has elephant ears, playful round eyes and blue legs extending from its crossed torso. Behind it, all pipes and other subjects have wide-open eyes and come alive in the form of elves. Carrying miniature ladders, they build their kingdom in a no-man-land. The blue tubular container in the upper left corner, perhaps a can of yellow spray paint accidentally left behind by the graffiti artist after completing his work, has also taken on an anthropomorphic appearance and waves curiously. From the interactions between the elfish characters under DIEGO's hand, one can feel a never-ending sense of "storytelling", tempting the viewer to glimpse into that wondrous world.

Price estimate:
HKD: 10,000 – 20,000
USD: 1,300 - 2,600

Auction Result:
HKD: --