Downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery is proud to announce its next major solo show, titled Spirited Away, featuring new works by renowned British artist Kai Clements of Kai & Sunny. Opening Saturday, September 21st in the Main Gallery and promising to bring a whole new dimension to the artist’s work, the exhibition will feature over 25 new works, along with collaborations with world-renowned artists Shepard Fairey and D*Face, a limited-edition silkscreen print release, a skateboard deck collaboration with streetwear brand Element, and more.
Kai & Sunny have received international acclaim for Kai’s meticulous creative process, creating a spectrum of razor-thin colored lines, using acrylic paint. Spirited Away includes a series of mesmerizing new abstract paintings on linen canvas, each showcasing the artist’s distinct style.
The new body of painstakingly created kinetic artworks tells a story of adventure and the beauty of embracing new experiences. The paintings capture a sense of exploration and mystery, inviting viewers on a journey of growth. The hypnotic and atmospheric paintings give rise to a feeling of being transported to another world and encourage viewers to embrace their own journeys of self-discovery and reflect on the wonders of the unknown. Undertones of iridescent spirit-like images take on new interpretations. These serene yet energetic artworks come alive through vibrant color, texture, shape, and movement to portray the message that persevering through challenges leads to joy, freedom, and peace.
Regarding the upcoming show, Kai shares: “I’m fascinated by the power of the natural world and, with these works, I wanted to explore those precious unseen moments such as the frequencies within nature. My aim is to immerse the viewer within forces of nature, and use colour, light, and movement to transport them through a journey of courage. At points in our lives, we may change, possibly losing pieces of ourselves in the process. Even with this obstacle, there is still hope ahead, and letting go frees us to move forward.”
As collaboration is a core ethos of the artist’s practice, a section of the Spirited Away solo show has been dedicated to the idea of “UNITY,” and will feature collaborative works by Shepard Fairey, D*Face, and Kai Clements. Their individual yet complementary styles have developed over time alongside their friendships, starting from a shared college experience between D*Face and Clements and an ongoing collaboration with Fairey since 2013. Each of these artists is inspired by nature, relationships, and the politics of the world ‒ making their work together a natural fit and compelling display.
Alongside the canvases, Spirited Away will also feature two digital artworks, in collaboration with Fakery (England-based 3D Design and Animation Studio), which are carefully choreographed against an ambient soundtrack composed by the Emmy-nominated English duo Toydrum (featuring Pablo Clements and James Griffith). Plus, in conjunction with the exhibition, Kai & Sunny is releasing a limited-edition silkscreen print and two skateboard decks (in collaboration with Element) featuring artwork from the show. Prints and signed skateboard decks will be available to purchase at the gallery on opening night (9/21), as well as at KaiandSunny.com and CHGPrints.com after opening night.
