Boy Kong
by Rob Goldman
Boy Kong is a local artist from Apopka known for his festive murals, his
bold use of line, and his whimsical, dynamic compositions. His style
can be marked by striking color palettes and distorted, sometimes mangled, figures. Often the subject is a fantastic rendering of some imaginary
animal in a writhing and flowing motion. More than just 2D Painting
and murals, Boy Kong creates woodcut assemblies of his works, with
shifting planes arranged in an aesthetic that suits his work
very appropriately.
I arrived at Boy Kong’s house/studio in a quiet, green, wooded neighborhood. The first thing I noticed was the many
cars, none more noticeable than the large
black Hummer parked across the middle of
the lawn. I had a feeling it was the right place.
Equipped with my notebook of questions, my voice
recorder, and my six-pack of beer, I stepped out
and met Boy Kong, who had just nonchalantly
strolled out of his studio.
I had seen pictures from a recent article
in The Bungalower, where they visited his studio and took pictures, and
I gotta say, there’s nothing like the
real thing. There was his unfinished work, his workstations,
his interesting knick knacks,
and his patterned cozy chair
where I sat. It felt like a
very productive place, but
it didn’t feel too busy.
We took our seats, we
cracked open two cold
ones, I pressed record, and we got to it.
So the recent show at Redefined, it’s called No Talent Losers.
Can you explain why?
Tatiana Sorres, one of the artists from the original group, [...] they were
painting somewhere, and [...] somebody spray-painted “losers” on their
wall. Somebody drove by [...] and said, “No talent losers!” Like a driveby call out. They were like, “I guess we’re the no talent losers.” I
didn’t know I was a part of it, I just kind of hung around them.
How was Australia?
Australia was cool. I didn’t expect it, [but] there were a lot of
Vietnamese people there! I’m not used to seeing all that.
I grew up in Apopka here. It was really a culture shock.
Is Apopka your hometown?
Yeah.
What would you say is the best thing
about Apopka?
No traffic, and it’s quiet. I think the peace
and quiet is rare. The mosquitos? Not
something. Everything else is nice,
though.
Say there’s a WWIII, would
you do propaganda for the
government?
Depends if they’re paying well. With all that,
I think I’d just move
at that point, you
above: The Destroyer From Above, acrylic and spray paint on wood
know?
left: The Dancer, acrylic, spray paint, & ink on wood
Can you describe your ideal working conditions?
I kind of like, work with anything. A lot of people would say music, but
I don’t listen to music when I work. [...] I think a pencil or marker or
something, that’s like, fine.
Rob Goldman: What’s your favorite type of tree?
Boy Kong: Pine trees smell really nice, specifically. [...] On the top of my Can you think of any big eureka moment you’ve had when you
discovered something new about your work?
head, the pine tree, because of the smell.
Technique wise, [...] I was on a cruise, I went on this little pirate ship
for a second, and I saw it was made of wood and fiberglass. I was like
What’s your cultural background?
man, I should come home and use [that]. Visually, or ideal-wise the
My mother is Chinese and my dad is Vietnamese.
awe moment for making work was to make what you would hang in
your house. I feel like it’s a good standard to set. It’s a hard time for
What would you say is your spirit animal?
I thought about this the other day, [...] not sure, could it be like a plant? everybody to stare at their own work.
I’ll have to pass on that.
If you never decided to pursue art, what would you do?
I think I would do skateboarding, if I was professional. Or something
So your name is Boy Kong, are you related to King Kong?
with nature. I think I would be building something.
I wish. I think we all are.
What is your mantra? A quote that you live by, or something?
What’s your opinion on the Mona Lisa?
I think it’s nice, it looks nice. I don’t have anything bad to say about it, I just think of, like, keep moving. Like, a forward thing, keep moving
another step, keep on moving. Basically, that. A lot of forward motion.
but it’s not my favorite.
Orlando’s Art Scene, v. 1.2
16