Ian Mac Gabhann: Kua Fu

Kua Fu, pen on paper, 130x210mm

Auckland-based artist and architect Ian Mac Gabhann’s work Kua Fu is currently exhibited at Manzana HQ.

Kua Fu tells the story of a giant in Chinese mythology who wanted to capture the sun.

The myth of Kua Fu (夸父) is one of the most famous in China. This classic story involves the main character Kua Fu attempting to catch up to the sun. Although there are many variations of this story, they usually follow the same main events, and it goes like this.

A long time ago, a race of giants lived among a world with vipers and beasts. The weather was so hot that plants had burned, the rivers had dried up, and many people were suffering. Kua Fu wanted to catch the sun and tame it for everyone. When he chased the sun, the dust he emptied from his shoes created hills, the stones he used to support his stove became mountains. For 9 days, Kua Fu chased the sun, and on the ninth, he became so thirsty that he went to the yellow river for a drink and drained it. Next, he went to the Wei River and drained it. But, he was still thirsty. His only option was to try to drink from the North Sea. However, Kua Fu was too weak to reach the sea, and on his way, he died of dehydration. Upon his death, his walking stick fell and created luscious peach forests. This forest provides shade and nourishment for the hardworking people nearby. In some versions, Kua Fu turns into the mountain range that is now known as the Kua Fu Mountains. 

Although some details are changed depending on the storyteller, the moral of the story is the same: no matter what challenges you are presented with, you should never give up. 

Mac Gabhann is Irish and immigrated to New Zealand in 2013. His works hold abstract, fragmented energy, drawn by hand and unaided by computers. References could include Kandinsky and other pioneers of abstraction in western art, such as Hilma af Klint.

“I start with a line of ink. I lend my thoughts to the ink. Then multiple lines begin journeys, which connect and disconnect within the dimensions of space.”

Kia ora Ian for your artwork! Kua Fu is available for sale for $300.