Studio Visit – Phillip Hua

The WWII era Noonan Building with the SF Skyline in the background.

Last Friday we hopped into a Zip Car and drove out to Pier 70 for a studio visit with Phillip Hua in anticipation of his September solo exhibition Entwined Excess. After maneuvering through the busy industrial yard we found ourselves at the Noonan Building, a wooden WWII era building that now houses artists studios.

Proper studio lighting is important for enjoying artwork.

After we let ourselves in we wandered up to Phillip’s space, an amazing mix of painting studio, curio cabinet, office, and design studio.

2009 was the year of the ox

Hua was in his usual chipper mood as we set out poking through his space. The conversation began by centering around the source of the show title, Entwined Excess, and it’s relationship to his current body of work.

Remnants of the process.

At the core of Hua’s work is an investigation into over consumption and it’s unpredictable and far reaching impact on things such as the environment. Those familiar with Phillip’s Re:Action series will be able to quickly identify with these themes.

A detail of a work in progress.

New to the mix is an interest on the symbiotic relationship between the economies of the United States and China. Now, Chinese language financial newspapers are intermixed with the Wall Street Journal. The Chinese influence doesn’t end in the material usage.

Someone has been doing their homework.

Phillip has been creating and composing images with a direct allusion to the rich history of Chinese floral and wildlife painting. The results are hauntingly beautiful images that transcend their materiality.

Hua and one of his pieces

We don’t want to give away all the surprises, but Phillip Hua has a lot in store for the gallery this September. Check out more images from the visit below.

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