MICHAEL HSIUNG lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

Of Chinese-American decent, Michael C. Hsiung is known for his black and white ink drawings depicting oddly realistic tales from a time long past. His art features imaginary characters and fantastical creatures such as centaurs and mermen, who inhabit a landscape of ruined castles, dead animals, or withered trees.  Protagonists include Mermen in precarious and questionable situations, Victorian athletes and fancy men with their dead or tended-to prey and hobbies, or the struggles and plights of imaginary and real animals.

Chinese-American artist, Michael C. Hsiung did not study art.  Having taken a figure drawing course as a teenager at the Pasadena Art Center on weekends, he did not consider art, design, or illustration a career.  Moving to San Jose and attending its university, Hsiung studied and received a degree in English Literature, having decided to work in teaching or professional writing.  After finding himself working miscellaneous jobs, anywhere from a proofreader to background investigator, and disgruntled with teaching, Michael decided to move back to Los Angeles in 2006.  While living in Koreatown, with his sister Pearl, a Goldsmith’s graduate and painter, he was encouraged to try drawing once again. Spending this time unemployed and career-searching, he began drawing and creating new worlds and characters.  In no less than a couple of months, Michael C. Hsiung’s work was showing in local art galleries - Echo Curio Gallery, The Hive Gallery and Studios, and Gallery Revisited.  In June 2007, Gallery Revisited featured Michael C. Hsiung’s “Depiction of the Quasi” along with founder and the artistic director of "option-g" Cole Gerst in a two-person show.  In August 2007, Gallery Revisited featured Michael again but this time with artist Ashley Goldberg in a new show, featuring new collages and drawings.

This year, in addition to preparing for the 12x36 A Local Lens show, Michael has done numerous commissions for t-shirts designs and even promotional swag for Jupiterimages, one of the leading stock photography companies in the world. He is also busy with band CD covers, buttons and posters for local and international musicians, from LA band Division Day to Spanish musician Isaac Ulam.  Dr. Martin’s will be launching an artist shoe line called Defy, which will feature original work by Michael in 2008.  Recently, in November 2007, Dwindle and Enjoi Skateboards released 4 signature pro models decks and a t-shirt, designed by Michael C. Hsiung for the holiday season.

PAST WORK

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