Everyone is familiar with the works of French artist Jean Jullien, as he is favored by different brands for his humorous and fun illustration style, often collaborating with brands to create co-branded products, becoming an important symbol of popular culture. Recently, the Hong Kong gallery AISHONANZUKA presented the artist’s solo exhibition “フーダニット” (WHODUNNIT), inviting the audience to unravel the creative imagination behind the artist’s minimalist lines!
Jullien’s work is known for its minimalist composition, covering themes of social reality, daily life, and personal emotions. Under his brush, all mundane matters become intriguing and amusing. When everyone is curious about how this extraordinary sense of humor is cultivated, Jullien will answer through his new works in this exhibition.
The exhibition is mainly divided into two series: nature and childhood memories, showcasing about 14 new canvas paintings in total. These themes are all related to Jullien’s own experiences. In the first series, the artist depicts the calm and beautiful sea of his hometown Brittany, as well as picturesque garden landscapes. People swim, surf, and gather on the shore, leisurely enjoying the beautiful environment that nature provides, bringing a carefree and free-spirited feeling.
In the childhood memories series, the artist depicts different characters such as heroes, warriors, and monsters, showcasing his various imaginative ideas about the animated world. The artist himself shares that his creations are inspired by various Japanese manga, with “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac,” “Dragon Ball,” and “City Hunter” being his favorites. Later on, during his growth, he was influenced by French poster artist Raymond Savignac, children’s book illustrator Tomi Ungerer, and cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempé, inspiring him to draw observations of life in a playful style.
Jullien’s work embodies the creativity of being an artist, which is not limited to fine arts, but is established through encounters with a wide range of cultures. Through the works in this exhibition, it is believed that the audience can gain a better understanding of Jullien’s style.
Date: From now until April 30 (Sunday, rest on Monday)
Time: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Shop C, G/F, 2-4 Morrison Street, Central
Image source and learn more: AISHONANZUKA
