Meet Gian Galang

Artist and illustrator Gian Galang creates beautiful designs with gestural movement and energy while still showcasing his immense eye for detail. Through his art, his experience in advertising and art direction is apparent, but he really creates a wow factor with his individual style and approach. If you're looking for some in-your-face talent with some action-packed composition, Gian Galang is the guy to check out.

In our latest interview, we chat with Gian about fashion, fighting, and New York City.

A Self-portrait by, Gian Galang

Would you rather

have an army of ducks or six buff kangaroos? Why?

I've never seen a kangaroo so let's go with them. But really neither since they'd have nowhere to sleep in my apartment.

Some Questions with Gian Galang

What has been your favorite brand collaboration to date? Why?

Hard to name a favorite, but I loved designing my Everlast gloves. It was so fun figuring out how my painting would translate printed onto multiple leather panels, and even cooler strapping on the final product and being able to actually use them!

Do you have a single favorite article of clothing? What makes it the favorite? 

I've only ever owned one "designer" piece of clothing, and it's a dope Yigal jacket one of my old roommates gave me. He used to work for Yigal and hooked me up. It was especially cool at the time because we had all just moved to the city and were still living pretty grimy and college-y, and the jacket made me feel like a baller.

What is the best part about working as an illustrator in NYC?

I'm not very good at it, but I love when I'm able to meet up with other illustrators in the city - it's refreshing. The artist/illustrator lifestyle is very lone wolf, so I love it when once in a while I can hang with peers and get a glimpse into their bubbles.

A good amount of your work focuses on sport and physical activities. Do you participate in any sports in your free time?

I normally work out and do Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing), but since COVID I've been doing a lot more running and picked up tennis for the first time, which I've really been enjoying.

What inspired the unique use of texture and grit that can be seen across your work?

I had a professor in college, George Pratt, who was a master of mixed media and using unconventional tools. He inspired me to experiment and continually search for techniques and marks that express the action and movement I try to convey.

What are your top three action flicks?

The Last Samurai (don't hate!)

Rush Hour

Kill Bill

If you could rename New York City what would you call it?

I wouldn't! It's the city so good they named it twice.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Thank you guys so much for having me. And check out my first exhibition, "The Art of Fighting" at Gallery Nucleus in LA this March!

Gian Galang