Seeing these charming characters with big round eyes, do you have a sense of déjà vu? This style of painting reminds people of the cute characters under the brush of Japanese artists Ayano Takano and Yoshitomo Nara, but the artist behind the drawings is actually from the UK, Felix Treadwell.
Recently, this post-90s artist will hold his first solo exhibition “Gentle Creatures” at WOAW Gallery in Hong Kong, showcasing his paintings, manuscripts, and installations. With whimsical character designs and rich vibrant colors, he presents to the audience a vibrant and enchanting imaginary world full of vitality and captivating stories!
Treadwell’s cartoon characters and fantasy creatures have become his signature style, they wander through everyday life in a naive and carefree manner, sometimes entering surreal scenes, opening up a fascinating fantasy world. Most of Treadwell’s works are rendered in soft tones, making each character and creature more approachable.
In 2018, after obtaining a master’s degree from the Royal College of Art in London, Treadwell went to a university in Kyoto, Japan for a year-long internship. Influenced by the flat style of contemporary Japanese art and having been exposed to many Japanese comic books since childhood, he combines the artistic characteristics of the East and West to create an engaging and whimsical style.
In this exhibition, the artist depicts slightly more mature characters than before, including these figures in various interesting scenarios facing work and daily leisure. In addition, he also created a series of dinosaur sculptures and oil paintings, leading the audience to revisit the dinosaur century millions of years ago.
Although in two different time and space, Treadwell believes that every human today shares certain emotions with ancient creatures from millions of years ago, including loneliness, vulnerability, and fear of death. Even though our lives are fleeting, every small beautiful moment in life contributes to the meaning of life. Whether dinosaur or human, it is the same. The constraints of time give meaning to life, and Treadwell hopes that these works can evoke some comfort and connect us when facing pain or loneliness.
Visitors are welcome to visit the exhibition, where artists create those gentle and lovely creatures, finding a glimmer of hope and meaning in life.
“Gentle Creatures” by Felix Treadwell
Date: February 25 to March 17, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Location: WOAW Gallery, 9 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Learn more: WOAW Gallery
Image source: instagram@woawgallery, instagram@felixtreadwell, Felix Treadwell
