BE YOUR OWN ICON : CELEBRATING THE ART & LIFE OF NICHOLAI KHAN
Exhibition Hours:
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 6pm – 9pm
Friday, June 2 – Tuesday, June, 6, 2023 from 12pm – 6pm
BE YOUR OWN ICON : CELEBRATING THE ART & LIFE OF NICHOLAI KHAN
Join us for this special commemorative gallery exhibition celebrating a true Icon at One Art Space – 23 Warren St, New York on June 1 through June 6th, 2023. The opening reception will be held on June 1st, 2023. The exhibition is curated by Keli Lucas of The Parallel and is the first exhibition since Nicholai Khan’s passing in 2022. Limited edition copies of Nicholai’s first published art book entitled “Be Your Own Icon” will debut alongside limited edition prints from the collection. There will also be a VR experience where you can put on a headset and step into a world that Nicholai painted in VR himself back in 2019.
“Each icon’s contributions not only inspire, but uplift the spirits of generations of those who are privileged enough to learn from and about them. An icon is an individual who is completely unique and selfless in their actions for the benefit of all who are in need. The individuals are chosen for this series because their lifetimes were full of sacrifice, passion and love; something we must pay forward.”
The “Be Your Own Icon” series was born out of his unique painterly style, which combines various mediums and vibrant color spectrums with natural elements to depict cultural heroes who embody the values, achievements, and qualities he cherished. These works are meant to remind us of the limitless potential of the human spirit.
Nicholai Khan was an artist, philosopher, humanitarian, and icon. His works are a fusion of his diverse upbringing and his exposure to the colorful and vibrant culture of Trinidad, as well as the graffiti scene in New York City during the mid-1980s. His masterful use of color and light is reminiscent of the tropical paradise of his childhood, while the texture and ultra-stylistic form of expression in his art are related to his exposure to the graffiti culture and galleries in NYC. Raised in a household with a mix of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish backgrounds, Khan was exposed to various religions and spiritual teachings, which led him to find enlightenment in the intersection of all religions.
