A new art space that opened in June, Nothing At All, recently welcomed its second exhibition. This time, they invited Argentine artist Javier Gonzalez Burgos to hold his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, titled “Protective Color,” showcasing a series of sweet and delicate portraits and animal works.
Javier was born in Argentina and is currently based in Spain, working as a book illustrator and artist. Even during his studies, specializing in graphic design and audiovisual creation, he was deeply influenced by the misty abstract and strongly atmospheric visual styles of literary masters. From the influential American graphic designer David Carson’s leadership of Ray Gun magazine to the ambiguous and hazy film world of the famous Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, they gradually shaped his creative style.
Javier often uses single-character portraits as the theme, with a simple and neat overall style that may initially bring to mind the works of several internationally renowned contemporary artists. However, each character in his works has a pair of eyes that seem to speak, filled with rich emotions. Sometimes they silently glance to the side, sometimes they look at the audience with tears in their eyes. Compared to their innocent appearance, they seem more like experienced adults, showing the depth of the artist’s character portrayal.
Javier’s cute character designs are mainly inspired by children and animals. Sometimes he dresses these innocent faces as animals, using fables or simple monochrome backgrounds to highlight the metaphors within. The artist juxtaposes the characters with the background colors, symbolizing the integration of disguising one’s appearance with the surrounding environment, hiding one’s unique side, all in an effort to protect one’s vulnerable self.
Through deliberate background color processing, the work exhibits a slightly melancholic aggressiveness, like the unsettled sky before a storm. A sense of an impending mountain rain, in silence, as if some secret is about to be revealed.
The artist said, “My inspiration comes not only from the fairy tale world, but also from the constantly changing reality driven by industrialization; my characters are reflecting a reality that is both bitter and sweet: whether animals or humans, they all need to disguise or hide themselves to survive – ‘they’ some need to drift on a boat, some have tears and haze in their eyes, some play musical instruments, some imitate or change forms…” Everyone is actively seeking vitality in the beautiful appearance.
“Protective Color” Javier Gonzalez Burgos Solo Exhibition
Date: From now until August 20 (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: Nothing At All, 38 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Image source and learn more: Nothing At All
