Trust Your Wisdom, 2020

Happy New Year, my friends!

How would you describe 2019 with one word followed

by another intended for 2020?

[ Change, 2019 ]

2019 caught me off guard by becoming the year of change.

The first half of the year was filled with fear, loss, and uncertainty.

I had a hard time finding my way on shifting grounds to stay the course.

As the space around was in flux,

I learned to trust my wisdom and listen to her whispers - 

we must change... in order to grow.

[ Growth, 2020 ]

I want to continue to grow in 2020.
Thankfully, I got a head start in 2019.

Here are some highlights with wisdom by Rumi:

[ Old Masters Anew ]

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." - Rumi

Hello Kitty, the Patron Saint of Cute turned 45 years old in 2019.

With an invitation to participate in her official anniversary exhibition,
I gave myself the task to paint like an old master from 17th century, Japan -

Ito Jakuchu.

Learning how to paint from a 300-year-old master in Nihonga,
traditional Japanese art was painfully satisfying.

I felt like a young surgeon in anatomy class dissecting his paintings

into small pieces to understand the intricate design in his brushwork. 

I learned the biggest challenge lies not in technique,

but in capturing the Qi (energy) in a painting.

I was reminded the practice of breath work and being still
continues to be a big part of the pleasure of painting.

'Hello Kitty Kannon, Goddess of Mercy and Wisdom'

24W x 48H" on wood by Martin Hsu.

Corey Helford Gallery, LA. 2019.

- - - - -

[ Nature Called. I Answered. ]

"Respond to every call that excites your spirit." - Rumi

Prophecy of Nature was an important exhibition for me as a traditionalist

and naturalist making art in the contemporary world.

I created delicate paintings of urban wildlife with indigenous plants

to examine the precarious future of the natural world by

showing her beauty, wisdom, and delights. 

I hope to make Sir David Attenborough proud.

Prophecy of Nature, new works by Martin Hsu.

Luna Rienne Gallery, SF. 2019.

- - - - -

[ Mission Loving-Kindness ]

"Whatever lifts the corners of your mouth, trust that." - Rumi

My ongoing mission to unleash the power of loving-kindness onto humanity

through art gave birth to Metta, a small book with a big heart.

An intimate collection of wisdom by Rumi and artwork by Martin Hsu.

Let's inspire compassion and talk about kindness, shall we?

Metta, available online.

- - - - -

[ Asian-American Pride ]

"We carry inside us the wonders we seek outside us." - Rumi

In 2019, Dragon Boy and I had the honor of being featured as

representatives in the arts in the Asian-American community-

including the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

celebration, the office of CA Senator Scott Weiner, and at the

annual Asian Pacific Fund silent auction gala.

Dragon Boy and I are tremendously proud to be recognized!

- - - - -

[ Do The Art Hustle ]

"Shine like the whole universe is yours." - Rumi

San Diego, Seattle, Denver, New York, SF, LA

are just a few places I traveled to to set up shop in 2019. 

Including conventions, pop-up shops, book signings,

and a month-long Artist In Residence at Disney's

WonderGround Gallery by Disneyland.

15 years of exhibiting at conventions feels exhausting,

but life-long fans and friends make it all worth it.

- - - - -

[ Wisdom ]

"This moment is all there is." - Rumi

Let's change by exploring the unknown.

Let's nourish happiness by showering it with self-love.

Let's trust our wisdom and grow.

Thank you for sharing this moment with me. 

I look forward to seeing you in 2020.

With love,

Martin

Hello Kitty 45th Anniversary Group Exhibition by Sanrio at Corey Helford Gallery, LA

Hello Kitty 45th Anniversary Exhibition

Official event by Sanrio at Corey Helford Gallery, LA

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 29th, 7p-11p, 2019

Exhibition: June 29th - August 3rd, 2019

'Hello Kitty Kannon, Goddess of Mercy and Wisdom'

24 x 48" acrylic and cel vinyl on wood panel

New work by Martin Hsu

Hello Kitty Kannon is a celestial masterpiece that perfectly represents

Martin Hsu's Contemporary Traditional Art. It pays homage to 17th century 

classical Asian art, one of its masters, Ito Jakuchu and

the Patron Saint of Cute, Hello Kitty.

Kannon, or Guan Yin, is a Bodhisattva who prolonged her own enlightenment to 

help everyone who suffers in this world. She often appears in white gowns,

the color of purity and holds a lotus flower to remind us that

the purest flower can grow from mud and unpleasantness. 

At times, the Kannon is portrayed in traditional art standing with a mighty peacock

whose tail feathers resemble eyes that help her see the suffering in our world.

For her 45th Anniversary, Hello Kitty is mythologized as the

Goddess of Mercy and Wisdom in Martin Hsu’s painting.

Her light transcends borders and brings joy across the globe.

Her wisdom breaks down barriers and connects people from different cultures.

Above all, Hello Kitty shines as a pop culture beacon in a world filled with

uncertainty, where ‘cute’ might just save us all.

To inquire about Martin's piece, you can email the gallery directly 

at sherri@coreyhelfordgallery.com. 

Please visit www.MartinHsu.com for Martin's artwork licensed and purchased

by Sanrio from past exhibitions

© Sanrio

The Vilcek Foundation Interview: Martin Hsu, Between Sanrio and Disney

It's true, I am a child of Sanrio and Disney.

With incredible honor, I was interviewed by The Vilcek Foundation which supports foreign-born artists and scientists, and sponsors programs such as the Santa Fe Opera and Museum of Modern Art.

Read complete interview here where I talked about my giant forehead, Shattered, and Dragon Boy.

Featuring Dragon Boy videos produced by Stephanie Wu, Jian Shen, and Jason Mongue.

Huge thanks to The Vilcek foundation, The New Press, Jeff Yang, and the entire crew of "Shattered" for giving me the opportunity to work on such a great project!