Kongo aka Cyril Phan has never been particular about the surface he leaves his mark on, whether it was a wall, canvas, shop window, trunk, dress, bag, scarf, jewelry, champagne bottle, humidor, car, or even an airplane. To Kongo, they were just mediums he employs when he is not multiplying collaborations with French brands like Chanel, Hermès, Richard Mille, Daum, and La Cornue to showcase traditional European savoir-faire.
The 51-year old French-Vietnamese artist likes the idea of being able to appropriate an everyday object and transform it into a work of art — something that makes life more beautiful.
The early proponent of the Parisian graffiti art scene earned a reputation for his pictorial alphabets that reconciliation painting and writing, he has since soared to new heights by reinterpreting varied universes in a language filled with colors, shapes and letters.
His focus has also shifted to the spotlighting of his Asian heritage as he plans to set up an atelier-showroom in Singapore and a boutique-gallery in Hanoi to highlight age-old Southeast Asian crafts that have influenced his joyful, energetic and optimistic touch.
This writer sits down with Kongo to talk about his artistry during the COVID-19 crisis, giving back to society and his plans for the future.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST RECENT PAINTING?
My latest painting is based on a poem by Charles Baudelaire that I reinterpreted called Hymne à la Beauté (Hymn to Beauty), which is part of Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil).
It’s a painting that took a lot of time and energy. I always work on several paintings at the same time because I get bored very quickly. Sometimes, when I’ve advanced well on a painting, I let it “sleep” for a while.
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
An Electrifying Ride
With a pack full of features, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV promises luxurious, joyful and fuss-free journeys.
Full Circle
The Macallan travels back in time with the TIME:SPACE to celebrate 200 years of whisky-making mastery.
Maturity in Spirit
The Glenrothes' revamped Core Collection mirrors our human bildungsroman, revealing the artistry behind the maturation process with its latest pop-up.
Benvenuto a Locanda
There is no experience more impactful than an honest meal and earnest hospitality, so Locanda makes for an appealing culinary stopover that should not be missed.
A Genuine Article of Fusion
Quenino by Victor Liong is the resident fine-dining hideout of Artyzen Singapore, its degustation menu showcases the best of Asian cuisine melded with contemporary Western savoir-faire.
The Last Word
As the Official Timekeeper for the Olympics, there is a tremendous onus that comes with the role. After all, the Olympics is the world's stage where human excellence is measured down to the minutiae. By that standard, OMEGA's competence in the timekeeping field is also measured.
From Paper to Metal
Men's Folio visited the Cartier Manufacture and Maison des Métiers d'Art earlier this year to discover the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation within those wall
Mavericks Amongst Traditionalists
Fashion watch brands are finding their feet amidst century old watchmakers as their maverick approach sets them apart from the current landscape of watchmaking.
The Case for the "It" Watch
As much as watches in popular culture being necessary might be an unpopular opinion, here is why it is crucial to the survival of the passion we all love.
Heavy Lidded
In the masculine world of grooming, the sport (or art) of decorating one's lids with darkened kohl has been practised amongst niche circles, reserved for only a few brave men willing to go - or draw - the lengths of a sharp winged liner. Given the past decade's adoration of the bare-is-best routines, the notion of lined eyes has been mostly cast away. However, as the return of the Indie Sleaze movement returns, confronting the pressing question cannot be put off any longer. Should the world be opening its eyes and waking up for the return of \"guyliner\"?