ANIMAMIX 2024: LIKUANZHEN, Beryl WU, Zoie LAM, HO Li, Pu CHEN, Abei LIU, Masanori USHIKI

ANIMAMIX 2024 is brightening up this August with its annual splash of vibrant colors. ESLITE GALLERY has proudly presented the ANIMAMIX exhibition since 2021. Now in its fourth edition, this year features seven artists from Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong: LIKUANZHEN, Beryl WU, Zoie LAM, HO Li, Pu CHEN, Abei LIU and Masanori USHIKI. Their works are inspired by ACGIT (Animation, Comic, Game, Illustration, Toy), reflecting the vibrant culture and unique viewpoints of the newer generation. Known for their fashionable flair and distinct personalities, their art has garnered widespread popularity among young audiences. 

牛木匡憲 MASANORI USHIKI

Masanori USHIKI's Fog series consists of girl portraits marked by their languid expressions and vivid, seemingly sugar-coated vibrant colors. Born in 1981 in Niigata, Japan, and a graduate of Musashino Art University, he now lives and works in Kyoto. Before transitioning to a full-time artist in 2011, USHIKI engaged in stationery design, website development, and game applications. In 2016, he gained recognition by sharing his illustration series VISITORS on Instagram. His works, influenced by the anime, tokusatsu, and toy culture of the 1980s and 90s, are celebrated for their humor, fashion, and diverse character designs. 

劉正堃 ABEI LIU

Abei LIU has created highly beloved original characters Maskboy and Hua Hua. Born in Taipei in 1981 and a graduate of Shih Chien University with a degree in fashion design, LIU has experience working with fashion brands and web design companies. Since returning to painting in 2014, he has become a renowned cross-disciplinary artist. Works displayed in this exhibition include his Photobomb and Re. series—the former sees sewing patterns rich in personal style, stitch by stitch sewn on printed materials like flyers or packaging with memorable elements; the latter repurposes second-hand T-shirts as a medium, reassembling notable or intriguing designs on the apparel to transform mass-produced items into unique artistic statements.

陳普 PU CHEN

Pu CHEN's Black and Blue Cosmos draws inspiration from the Taiwanese term "oo-tshenn" which literally means black and blue, invoking a whimsical sense of familiarity. Born in Taipei in 1986, he earned a master's degree from the Graduate Institute of Fashion and Communications Design at Shih Chien University. With painting as the starting point of his creative journey, his Black and Blue Cosmos is created using ink-painted black blocks that sample the shapes of seeds, fruits, animals, and other life forms. Using green fluorescent pens, he illustrates organic symbols in these works. Once the two-dimensional images are completed, they are sometimes transformed into sculptures, public art, animations, or augmented reality works, creating an organic symbiotic relationship with various mediums and spaces.

李冠王真 LIKUANZHEN

Born in 1991 in Puli, Nantou, LIKUANZHEN studied Fashion Design at Shih Chien University. She worked as a styling assistant in the fashion industry and later launched her own clothing brand. The intense pressure of the fashion industry once plunged her into a low point. It was during this time that she began painting—art became her refuge, transforming her challenging experiences into sources of creative inspiration. Since 2020, she has engaged in digital illustration, allowing her to express her fantastical views of the world more freely. Her You Are Shine series in 2023 inspires people to recognize their own brilliance amidst darkness, while "flowers" metaphorically suggest that one must endure dark times to bloom and reveal their hidden gifts.

河麗 HO LI

HO Li's mixed-media works exude a distinctively feminine quality. Born in Taoyuan in 1997, she graduated from the Department of Painting and Calligraphy Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts. She fuses traditional Chinese painting pigments and silk fabrics with decorative materials like lace, denim, and beads to create a unique mix that balances gentleness with a hint of edginess. Although raised in the city, HO Li feels a deep connection with natural elements like rocks and trees. This affinity stems from living near riverine landscapes, which inspired her name and also became her metaphor for life. Through her creative work, she delves into self-exploration and uncovers the commonality between herself and fellow humans in society.

吳易陵 BERYL WU

Beryl WU's paintings, vibrant and striking, subtly expose a layer of sensuality beneath their playful exterior. Born in Taichung in 1993, she graduated with an MDes in Design Management Innovation from UAL Ravensbourne, London, and once worked as a graphic designer. Her paintings are inspired by life experiences: a girl rolling her eyes holds back a pool of tears; plants extend their branches threateningly, laden with tempting fruits; blooming flowers mimic sexual organs, representing desire. These artworks explore body awareness from a female perspective and uncover the roots of inner emotions.

林雅儀 ZOIE LAM

Zoie LAM, born and raised in Hong Kong, graduated with a degree in graphic design and advertising. Initially starting her career as a fashion designer, she rose to fame with her illustration series Zlism in 2010. Zlism is akin to a planet inhabited by intricate, adorable, kind, characters radiating positivity. This gorgeous world spreads joy and a sense of healing. Her art has expanded from canvases to architectural murals, transforming dull urban landscapes into colorful palettes. Viewers are captivated by the magical hues, finding a soothing escape for the soul. 

ANIMAMIX 2024

• Curator: Eric LAI
• Artists: LIKUANZHEN, Beryl WU, Zoie LAM, HO Li, Pu CHEN, Abei LIU and Masanori USHIKI
• Opening: August 17, 2024
• Date: August 17–September 21, 2024
• Address: ESLITE GALLERY∣B1, No. 88, Yanchang Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110055, Taiwan (eslite spectrum Songyan Store)
• Opening Hours: 11am-7pm, Tuesday – Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday)