AHHI CHOI

Ahhi CHOI, born in 1983 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for his distinctive works characterised by smooth, bold curves and dynamic visual imagery. Influenced from a young age by skateboarding and street culture, he blends the spirit of freedom and adventure inherent in skateboarding with street art elements to develop an abstract painting style. After holding his first solo exhibition in Japan in 2012, and receiving widespread attention following his show in New York in 2013, he began exhibiting internationally. In addition to painting, the artist has also extensively engaged in other artistic endeavours, including the design of bags, shoes, skateboards, wine labels, phone cases, album covers, and musical instruments. In 2020, he dedicated his piece “Naka-ima” (present) to the renowned Ashiya Shrine in Hyogo Prefecture and collaborated on a limited edition of votive plaques, which sold out quickly upon release. Additionally, he partnered with the century-old Kyoto-based brand Kanouunkindou to create hanging scrolls and limited-edition “Goshuin” (shrine stamp books), incorporating his art into traditional culture. In 2022, he collaborated with Barneys New York on a T-shirt design and with Jaguar Land Rover on the graphic design for their newly launched car.

In this exhibition “365 Inspiration”, Ahhi CHOI captures the inspiration from his daily life in the form of a visual diary, transforming it into fluid and dynamic lines that create vibrant visual imagery. These inspirations are documented through paintings and extended into three-dimensional installations of everyday objects. For this solo exhibition, the artist has specially created works that reflect Taiwan’s urban landscape and culture. His artistic practice is profoundly influenced by his travel experiences. While studying language in Los Angeles, USA, he extensively explored the magnificent natural landscapes of the western United States, visiting Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Park, developing a deep respect and connection with nature. Upon returning to Japan and facing the fast-paced, monotonous urban lifestyle, he began creating his own visual diary through paint and canvas, infusing the subconscious impressions of landscapes he encountered each day into his works. His creative process does not rely on sketches but allows his work to evolve spontaneously through unconscious expression. His gestural brushwork produces organic lines characterised by pronounced spontaneity and improvisation. This approach gradually developed into the seven representative “Ahhi Patterns”, featuring distinct colours and lines that create a tension-filled visual presentation. Viewers are invited to engage with these works through their personal sensory experiences, attributing individual interpretations to the interplay of colour and form.