The beauty of Yeo Kaa's work lies in its interesting juxtaposition of torment and vibrance. When we think of her art, we are automatically brought to a kaleidoscope of pop imagery and whimsical figuration.
In the gaps between those elements, however, is where we can find the true character of her work. These are subjects derived from fantasy and violence, caught in the contrast between joy and agony. They are only as daring as they are radiant, really. Yeo Kaa is a kind of artist who addresses the contradictions in the human condition by way of caprice and, yes, a lot of color.
Having one of the freshest contemporary voices in Southeast Asian art, Yeo Kaa's work has captivated not only the gallery scene but brands like Adidas, as well. Recently, the artist collaborated with the famed sportswear giant for a much-needed revamp of the Rivalry 86 Low, a classic silhouette lost to time.
"'Yung concept ng shoes is about strength. 'Yung pinaka-pinaghuhugutan ko ngayon is 'yung feeling na akala ko hindi na matatapos 'yung ganong pakiramdam na masama at mabigat. But lilipas at lilipas rin pala siya at magiging OK rin ang lahat sa huli," Yeo explained.
.jpg)
ADIDAS PHILIPPINES
For the Rivalry 86 Low, Adidas and Yeo Kaa came up with the Strong Girl colorway, which is said to reflect the "Strong Girl Needs Rest Too" theme of the partnership. Yeo Kaa is the latest Filipino artist to collaborate with the brand, following in the footsteps of fellow contemporary artists like Quiccs and Egg Fiasco.
We can see that the artist's version of the sneaker comes with her signature pops of color, underlined by a bright green and blue stripe over the off-white upper. These are supposedly symbols of calmness for the Palaweña artist. She has long been preaching about the adversity that comes with being part of the creative industry, hoping to channel that angst into her art practice.
A graduate of Advertising at the College of the Holy Spirit Manila, Yeo Kaa rose to prominence when she won the University of Santo Tomas On-the-Spot Painting Competition and Special Prize of the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence in 2010. She has since gone on to put up more than ten solo shows and a dozen more group exhibits in countries like Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Germany. She would take up residency programs at Sarang Art Space in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, Arteles Creative Center in Haukijärvi, Finland, and another in Berlin, Germany.
Adidas x Yeo Kaa is now available at Adidas Brand Center, Adidas NBHD Greenbelt, Adidas NBHD Bonifacio High Street, Atmos, Commonwealth, Titan Philippines, and Footlocker Philippines. The pairs are selling for P6,800.
*This story originally appeared on Esquire. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
