Darius X Shares His Tales As A Transgender Korean Artist In “A Boy Named Soo”

Credit: Darius X

Seattle area artist Darius X has a lot of stories to tell via his art. As a “transgender Korean adoptee”, his life experiences have helped shape his art as a printmaker. His February show at the 4Culture headquarters in Pioneer Square, “A Boy Named Soo”, will showcase his work from the last dozen years. At the opening night reception on February 4th from 6 pm to 8pm, part of Pioneer Squares First Thursday Art Walk, you can experience the life work of Darius X.

More from the invite:

Driven by a yearning to find his place within the Asian American and Queer communities, Darius uses the direct strength of linoleum block printing to explore complex themes: how intersections of identities shape our cultural notions of race, gender and family. Using the multi-step process of carving and printing by hand, he constructs his own mythology about who he is, where he came from, and where he belongs.

“The intention that I set for each work is to allow the image to take on a life of it’s own. The overall idea can come to me pretty quickly. The sketch often starts with an old family photo and then sometimes I’ll digitally modify the components. This is when I feel the most in control of the piece. Arranging and rearranging the composition gives me a grounding place to start. The transformation happens when I am tracing the image to the block, meticulously carving it, applying the ink and finally imprinting the paper on to the block. I use the inking brayer like a paintbrush. Inking the block with big swooping motions or with delicate touches allows me a direct connection to the image before the ink touches the pristine paper. I use a Japanese style baren to give the variable strokes and then I’ll finish with a clean brayer to apply a vigorous amount of pressure. The tactile act of applying pressure with hand held tools facilitates a physical and meditative release.”

Seattle filmmaker Basil Shadid made this short film about Darius X.

Darius X: A Boy Named Soo
February 4 – 25, 2016
Opening: 1st Thursday Pioneer Square Arts Walk
February 4, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Gallery 4Culture
101 Prefontaine Pl S
Seattle, WA 98104

Credit: Darius X