Korean-American diasporic painter Michael Hyun Gu Kang brings vibrant colors and mixed media into all of his work. With an affinity for texture, Kang works on “varied surfaces” such as “old rugs, canvas, and doors, but I most often use wooden panels or collage random wooden pieces.”⁠

Spending the last 11 years in the Bay Area, Kang’s work and life “are marinated in the flavors of the Bay,” and describes his experience as being a Korean-American artist as having a process that is “emblematic” of his background and knowledge. ⁠⁠

Utilizing all materials, Kang remarks that “an important part of my process is to see the potential in things. This allows me to rework and erase parts of paintings that maybe I didn't appreciate before or parts I held onto too preciously.” ⁠

Working from sketches in addition to intuition, Kang keeps painting “until the work reaches the place it feels destined to be,” and has a sense of stability. This balance is described as one “between natural tendency, intention, and a lack of control.” Kang’s work shows the dedication and craftsmanship that he so eloquently composes, dense with innovative poise and dynamic colors. ⁠

Feature Published: April 1, 2022
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