Downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) 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 Element Skateboards, and more.

“Spirited Away” (acrylic painting on linen, 89.5” x 62”)

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.

“Spirit Wave” (acrylic painting on linen, 33" x 33") by Kai & Sunny

“Twisted Wave” (acrylic painting on linen, 47” x 47”) by Kai & Sunny
 
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 & Sunny. Their individual yet complementary styles have developed over time alongside their friendships, starting from a shared college experience between D*Face and Kai & Sunny and 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.

"Wild Obey Flower" (silkscreen and acrylic sprayed icon on paper (Unique), 47.2" x 33.5") by Kai & Sunny X Shepard Fairey (Obey)

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 Skateboards and featuring artwork from the show). Prints and skateboard decks will be available to purchase at the gallery on opening night (9/21).

“Ghost Migration” (acrylic painting on linen, 60.2" x 44.5") by Kai & Sunny

“Wild Flowers” (acrylic painting on linen, 44.5" x 33") by Kai & Sunny

"Ghost Flowers" (acrylic painting on linen, 60.2" x 44.5") by Kai & Sunny

Open to the public and free of charge, Spirited Away is set to debut on Saturday, September 21st from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm in the Main Gallery, alongside a two-artist show featuring new works by Los Angeles-based artist Andrea Guzzetta, titled Afterglow, and Korean artist Kiseok Kim, titled Plastic, in Gallery 3. Both shows will be on view through October 26th.

work in progress by Kai Clements of Kai & Sunny

OPENING RECEPTION: September 21, 2024 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

ON VIEW: September 21 – October 26, 2024

COREY HELFORD GALLERY
571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

About Kai & Sunny:

Kai & Sunny CEO Kai Clements (b.1975) is a UK-based artist and alumnus of Epsom School of Art in Surrey, United Kingdom, where he earned an honors degree in Art and Design. Works by Kai & Sunny are characterized as colorful palettes of flowing and dynamic lines, showcasing uniquely distinguishable compositions of acrylic paintings on linen canvas. An artist in search for simplicity and ambiguity, Kai Clements has been creating his acrylic paintings since 2016.

Kai Clements originally co-founded Kai & Sunny with Anthony Sunter (who stepped away in 2023 due to health reasons). Since its inception, the name Kai & Sunny has had a strong ethos in collaboration with other artists, with an emphasis on the collective. Shepard Fairey and D*Face are regular collaborators bringing together the idea of “UNITY” which enables the artist to continually evolve and grow. The connection with the collective has seen Kai & Sunny collaborate with a wide range of brands and artists, including Element Skateboards, Tiffany & Co., music projects with Toydrum, the author David Mitchell, and the fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Collaborating with artists as well as different fields of innovation and expression brings together a unique working process Kai & Sunny value. 

Kai & Sunny has exhibited all over the world, including in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Hong Kong, Paris, and London. In September 2024, the London-based award-winning artist will premiere his fourth solo show, Spirited Away, at Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery (following 2022’s Future Seasons, 2020’s The Great Curve, and 2019’s In The Drift).

About Corey Helford Gallery:

Established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer/creator Bruce Helford (The Conners, Lopez vs. Lopez, Anger Management, The Drew Carey Show, and George Lopez), Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) has since evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. Its goal as an institution is to support the growth of artists, from the young and emerging to the well-known and internationally established. CHG represents a diverse collection of international artists, primarily influenced by today's pop culture and collectively encompassing style genres such as New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti, and Street Art. Located in downtown Los Angeles (571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033) in a robust 12,000-square-foot building, CHG presents new exhibitions approximately every six weeks. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. For more information, visit CoreyHelfordGallery.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube. For available prints from CHG, visit CHGPrints.com