In his works, Tyke refers to creatures from urban legends, Asian folklore and even the infamous–now accepted as fake – Big foot footage shot by Patterson and Gimlin in 1967.nguyen art gallery
Painted in a graffiti-esque style that references both popular culture and childhood cartoons, the monsters, according to the artist, call forth a kind of anxiety that exists within our social internalisation of the unknown and simultaneous desire to experience this
The works manifest Tyke’s fascination for how society characterises fear through urban cultural myths, inspired by the controversial findings of a ‘yeti-like’ creature spotted by Vietnamese scientists in the mountainous region of the north.
The writing’s on the wall: Part of the graffiti-inspired art on show at the Unknown Monsters exhibition.
These large, hairy, human-like beasts are rendered small and impish, their faces poking out of stylised brushstrokes.
This exhibition comes at a time in Viet Nam when the younger generations have begun to consider graffiti an essential means of self-expression, recognising the power of public space as a platform to engage new ideas.nguyen art gallery
Unknown monsters takes the medium of graffiti beyond the urban environment, not only as an attempt to redefine the practice of this stylised art, but also as a challenge to conceptions of fear in public and private space.
It is Tyke’s first exhibition in Viet Nam. Earlier, he has exhibited alongside artists like Steven Powers, Saber, Krush, Revok, and Barry McGee.
Since getting involved in southern California’s graffiti scene in the early 1990’s, he has become well known through his “experimental” graffiti murals that challenge the boundaries of traditional graffiti styling.
The 33-year-old graduated from Mission Viejo Community College, California, in 1996 and the University of California in 2002.
The exhibition is on show at 23 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1 in HCM City until July 24. — VNS
