Harold Khan

Year of birth: 1979.
Where do you live: Vienna, Austria.
Your education: Bachelor of Arts Major in Advertising Arts, University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
Describe your art in three words: Vibrant, Cultural, Explorative.
Your discipline: Rooted in openness, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous exploration, I approach my art with an intentional blend of structure and spontaneity, allowing inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences to guide my creative process.
haroldkhan.com | Instagram

Can you tell us about your artistic journey, and how growing up in both the Philippines and Singapore influenced your style?

I grew up immersed in the vibrant worlds of anime and cartoons, exposed to Manila’s energetic and somewhat chaotic vibe and Singapore’s modern and organized environment.

Manila’s vibrant, bustling atmosphere is characterized by its sensory overload—colorful street markets, lively festivals, and the constant hum of city life while backed by folklore.

This energy impresses my work with a dynamic, raw quality, capturing the essence of spontaneous moments and the vibrant chaos that defines the city.

In stark contrast, Singapore’s modern and meticulously organized environment introduced a new dimension to my artistic practice. The city-state’s sleek skyscrapers, pristine streets, and efficient public spaces offered a different kind of inspiration—one grounded in precision, clarity, and sophistication.

I hope that these contrasts find themselves blended and is reminiscent of vintage movie posters, where dramatic flair meets precise artistry.

I hope that my portraits not only reflects the essence of both cities but also resonates with the nostalgia and grandeur of classic cinematic visuals.

Harold Khan | Respirer Paris Cela Conserve l âme | 2024

Your works seem to blend vibrant colors and cultural symbolism. What is the significance of these elements in your paintings?

Growing up in both the Philippines and Singapore, my work is deeply influenced by the vibrant cultures and rich histories of these two places.

The use of bold, vibrant colors in my paintings reflects the lively spirit and energy of the Philippines, where every day is filled with hues that seem to dance in the tropical light.

I’ve always been drawn to the vividness of our festivals, the brilliance of our sunsets, and the everyday warmth of our surroundings.

These colors are my way of celebrating life, and they remind me of my roots and the beauty of my homeland.

In Singapore, I was surrounded by a melting pot of cultures and traditions, where each community contributes to a tapestry of diversity.

This experience has shaped my understanding of cultural symbolism and its power to communicate deeper meanings and stories.

I often incorporate elements from both Filipino and Singaporean traditions in my work – whether it’s through patterns, motifs,

or symbolic imagery – as a way to honor my heritage and the shared narratives of Southeast Asia. Through this blending of color and symbolism,

I hope to create a visual language that connects with people, sparking a sense of familiarity and dialogue across different cultures.

Harold Khan | Our Minos | 2023

You’ve chosen to focus on both Eastern and Western influences in your work. How do you decide which cultural aspects to emphasize in each piece?

Living in a modern city like Vienna, where history and innovation coexist, has greatly influenced how I approach blending Eastern and Western influences in my work.

Vienna is a city that treasures its classical roots while also embracing contemporary thought, and this duality has inspired me to explore how different cultural elements can intersect and complement each other in my art.

When deciding which cultural aspects to emphasize in each piece, I think about the stories I want to tell and the emotions I want to evoke.

Sometimes, I lean more towards Eastern influences, drawing on the traditions and spirituality of my upbringing in the Philippines and the cultural diversity I experienced in Singapore.

Other times, I’m inspired by the Western ideals of progress, individual expression, and freedom that I feel so strongly in Vienna.

I often let the subject matter or the themes guide me—whether it’s exploring identity, celebrating heritage, or reflecting on modern life.

Being in Vienna, I’ve realized that a better life isn’t about choosing one cultural perspective over another but finding a balance between them.

This city’s unique blend of old and new, East and West, encourages me to weave together the contrasts and similarities of both worlds.

How do your travels and experiences in diverse urban settings inspire your creative process?

Traveling and experiencing diverse urban settings have been incredibly inspiring for my creative process. Each city I visit offers its own rhythm, colors, textures, and stories, and I find myself absorbing these elements like a sponge. When you’re constantly moving through different environments, you start to see the world from so many new angles — it’s like a door opens, and suddenly, your perspective is much wider. You begin to realize how small you are in the grand scheme of things and how much more there is out there beyond what you know.

These travels teach me that there is no single story or perspective; there are countless narratives woven into the fabric of every city.

I’ve learned to approach my art with a sense of curiosity and openness, allowing the diversity of the world to shape and transform my creative expression.

In the end, it’s about understanding that we are all connected in some way, and my art is my way of exploring those connections and bringing them to life on canvas.

Harold Khan | Golden Smile | 2024

Many of your paintings have a surreal quality. What role does imagination play in your work, and how do you balance fantasy with reality?

Imagination plays a crucial role in my work, often serving as the bridge between the tangible and the fantastical.

My love for manga, anime, comics, and film has deeply influenced my artistic vision, infusing my paintings with a surreal quality that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

These forms of media have taught me to appreciate the power of storytelling and visual imagination, encouraging me to explore beyond the confines of the everyday world.

You hold a degree in Advertising Arts. How does your background in advertising influence your approach to creating fine art?

My background in Advertising Arts has had a significant impact on how I approach creating fine art. In advertising, I learned to communicate messages effectively and visually engage audiences.

This experience has taught me the importance of clarity, composition, and the power of visual storytelling, all of which I apply to my fine art practice.

My background in advertising has encouraged me to experiment with different styles and techniques, always seeking new ways to engage and captivate.

It’s given me a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach to art-making, allowing me to blend creativity with purpose.

Harold Khan | Reyna Dalisay | 2024

Which artists or movements have inspired you the most, and in what ways do they manifest in your work?

I’ve been inspired by a range of artists and movements, each contributing to different facets of my work.

Akira Toriyama’s vibrant, dynamic style and imaginative storytelling in manga have deeply influenced my approach to color and composition.

His ability to create engaging, otherworldly worlds with a distinctive visual flair resonates with my own exploration of surreal elements and fantasy in my art.

Osamu Tezuka’s pioneering work in manga and his narrative techniques have also left a significant mark on me.

His storytelling depth and innovative use of visual language have taught me the importance of integrating strong narrative elements into my paintings, much like how I strive to weave stories through my use of symbolism and imagery.

Yoshiyuki Tomino’s contribution to anime, particularly with his epic and complex worlds in the Gundam series, has influenced my appreciation for intricate, layered compositions. His ability to blend futuristic elements with deep, personal themes inspires me to explore similar contrasts in my own work.

Stan Lee’s creativity in comic book storytelling has been a major influence as well. His knack for developing compelling characters and epic narratives has encouraged me to focus on character-driven themes and the emotional impact of my work.

Frank Frazetta’s masterful use of color and dynamic forms in fantasy art has greatly influenced my approach to depicting movement and energy.

His bold and dramatic style inspires me to push the boundaries of visual intensity and to bring a sense of motion and vitality to my paintings.

These artists have shaped my creative vision in various ways, helping me to blend fantasy with reality, and to create art that is both visually striking and rich in narrative depth.

I love cats, I sometimes paint our cats too.