Cosmic Pilgrim

London, 2015

Cosmic, adj.
Of, relating to, or concerned with abstract spiritual or metaphysical ideas.

Pilgrim, n.
One who journeys in foreign lands; wayfarer.

'Cosmic Pilgrim' reimagines a year of European exploration. Key places, people and experiences are deconstructed and reborn as a troupe of vivacious animals celebrating audacious adventure.

Evoking themes of folklore and spirituality, Tran's imaginative, playful style is a hybrid of loose, gestural marks, bold graphic shapes and intricate linework. Collectively, the works offer a visually stimulating yet intimate snapshot of the artist's geographical and metaphysical journey.

Airport-bound
London, UK

London, United Kingdom
The door thuds and hands fumble over pockets. Wallet, phone, passport. Okay, ready. It's still dark as I storm down Brick Lane towards Liverpool Street station. Plastic suitcase wheels rattle loudly over the bumpy cobblestone pavement, breaking the seal of a mute London dawn.

I left packing until the last minute, so was running on 1 hour of sleep. Turns out my train was cancelled, so after an anxious 40-minute wait, I finally arrived at Stansted Airport. I checked in quickly, navigated a frustrating 25-minute security queue and frantically scanned the departures board for my gate. London to Berlin, Gate 88, departing 6.05am. It was already 6.20am.

I threw my luggage up over my shoulders and thundered through the airport. I was Rambo. As expected, Gate 88 was empty. I toppled into the desk, spilling my passport and boarding pass onto the gate attendant in desperation. She turned to me and said, 'Sir, the plane hasn't left yet, but you didn't certify your visa at check-in'.

I was mortified. She scribbled something on my boarding pass and unconvincingly told me to run. I was Forest Gump. From the gate window, I could see the plane door slowly closing so with one last grunt, I scampered over the tarmac, powered up the stairs and tumbled into the plane. After wading uncomfortably through a sea of dirty looks, I collapsed in my seat, breathless and sweaty. The plane hit the runway and I passed out.

New Works by Kevin Tran
A film by Diego Atadini

Harringay Warehouse Community
The works in 'Cosmic Pilgrim' were created in the Harringay Warehouse District, a live-work community in North London. Once a primarily industrial zone, the area has been repurposed into a thriving creative hub, home to artist communes and building cooperatives. It offers artists, musicians and makers a specialised retreat to develop their practices alongside like-minded creatives.

Berlin, Germany
I was sitting at a large wooden table in the lobby carefully surveying a city map.

It was my first time travelling solo through Europe and this hostel would be basecamp for the next 4 days. Earlier that afternoon, I walked the block perimeter to familiarise myself with surrounding streets and landmarks. The hostel was located at the east end of Görlitzer Park on the outskirts of Kreuzberg. It was a peculiar park; groups of high school kids dotted over the grass drinking beer, smoking weed and throwing frisbees while men in baseball caps casually sold cocaine to pedestrians.

I drew a star on the map to mark the hostel. It was nightfall now and a convivial ambience filled the lobby. The murmur of mingling backpackers was building, broken intermittently by bursts of laughter and colliding shot glasses. Berlin's fabled nightlife was literally at my doorstep and I was excited to see where the night would take me.

On my way out, I met two travellers from Newcastle, Rich and Dan. "We're heading to this bar..." Moments later, I was in the backseat of a taxi speeding into town.

Disco Meerkat
2015
Acrylic, chalk pastel, and Indian ink on cotton rag paper
90 × 120 cm

By the canal there was an old chalet. It was an odd concrete box that resembled a prison cell from the outside. Vines of multicoloured lights led us through a leafy passage to a forest-like clearing. To my right, a handful of kids were huddled around a bonfire. To my left, an abandoned piano.

That night we danced in the flames of hell. Around me demons frolicked, their limbs mangled and contorting, their faces beaming with euphoric disfiguration. Beside the bathroom mirror under the glow of a dim light, I noticed the words ‘Don’t forget to go home'.

The next morning, Berlin was over and we were ready to find our way back to reality.

Javea, Spain
On the third day, we finally left the villa and followed the salty breeze toward the water. Javea is a small seaside town on the east coast of Spain.

The main promenade is lined with alfresco restaurants and market stalls, and the beach is nestled between two dramatic cliffs. On the horizon is a grand pyramid mountain that could be seen for miles.

On the final night, we strolled down to the beach, our bellies full of seafood and our spirits merry from the sangria. The beach was deserted and moonbeams bounced over the rippling water. We threw our clothes onto the sand and dove into the illuminated sea. The next morning, we said goodbye to our Spanish paradise, revitalised by the healing waters of this peaceful town.

Javea
2015
Acrylic, chalk pastel, and Indian ink on watercolour paper
135 x 110 cm

StolenSpace Gallery
Shoreditch, London UK

'Cosmic Pilgrim' was exhibited at StolenSpace Gallery on Brick Lane, east London. Dedicated to independent work and art derived from subcultures, StolenSpace has built a cult following by consistently showcasing leaders in contemporary urban art, including D*Face, Shepard Fairey, Ben Frost and ROA.

Held during East London's iconic First Thursdays art event, the opening night was a celebration of London's independent creative community, spanning art, music, food and drink. Alongside Tran's new paintings, digital art duo ChromeGnome presented a sound and projection installation. The night also featured performances by four-piece band Oh Sister, DJ A-Train and singer-songwriter Michael Friederich, with Nonna's Artisan Gelato serving homemade ice cream.

Opening Night — StolenSpace Gallery, London
A film by Diego Atadini

Arrival
Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria

Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Through the dirty window glass, I watched another dusting of dilapidated buildings recede into the distance. We continued to ascend through a thicket of multi-story canopies, venturing deeper into the Bulgarian wilderness.

Almost 7 hours on this rickety bus and everyone was getting restless. As we spiralled up the mountain range, I watched the sun sink into the neighbouring valley. We must be close now, I thought.

The Golden Otter was our guide for the next week. Known as the town’s Pied Piper, he was an enthralling enigma but relentlessly chatty and local folklore believed he had a tongue made of silver. We followed him, dragging our luggage over the tall grass, up a rocky pathway and between cobblestone walls, bemused by his nonsensical babbling the whole way.

Finally, we stopped in front of a small red door. “We have arrived!” From within, we could hear the scuttle of faint footsteps followed by the chinking of keys.

Village homestay
Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria

Work in progress
The Golden Otter

The Golden Otter
The Golden Otter

Breakfast with a view
Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria

I woke up with the sun beaming over my face and a sore back from the ratty wire mattress. The sound of light chatter and clinking plates drifted in through the open window. I stepped out onto the balcony and took in the stunning mountain backdrop. Moments later, Mama Baba appeared with hot pancakes and a bowl of freshly picked strawberries.

We climbed into a modest wooden cart led by one dark horse and one light horse. Their heavy hooves lumbered up the rocky path, hauling us through rustic farmland and past the rotting shells of abandoned cars. With each slow, steady step, they propelled us higher and higher toward the clouds.

Chariot to the clouds
Bulgaria

View from the top
Meadows In The Mountains, Bulgaria

At the top we found an expansive view of the neighbouring peaks and valleys, a jagged skyline of spearmint green ridges that resembled the backs of sleeping dinosaurs. We spent the day trekking through lush woodland and roaming the rolling fields, a clan of disco meerkats exploring our new mountain playground.

At midnight, the moon appeared over the treetops and the mountain erupted; a tidal wave of light and sound bathing everyone in indigo rays and rippling frequencies. The vibrations in the ground kept our toes light and we spent the night dancing under the stars.

Full moon rituals
Meadows In The Mountains, Bulgaria

At 5am, everyone was gathered on the hill. The mountain air was brisk so we huddled together to keep warm.

I sat in silence staring out into a dense curtain of fog, the music droning behind somewhere in the distance. My body was exhausted from the night, but my mind was open and alert. Slowly the pale grey clouds melted away, revealing a powder blue sky, blushing with soft apricot highlights. I watched as dark silhouettes slowly emerged from the horizon, completely hypnotised by the grandeur of these rousing giants. Finally, the first ray of dawn glinted, darting across the carpet of clouds toward us and the sky was set ablaze.

850 metres above sea level in the middle of the Bulgarian wilderness, Mother Nature was putting on a show and I was grateful we had front-row seats.

Sunrise over the valley
Meadows In The Mountains, Bulgaria

Artists and collaborators
Cosmic Pilgrim Opening Night

Credits & Thank You
Diego Atadini — Videographer
Michael Friederich — Guitarist
Emily Appleton-Holley — Composer
Lance Gurisik — Composer
Chrome Knome (Sam & Davor) — AV Projections
Oh Sister — Band
Nonna's Gelato — Dessert Vendor
Sam Howard — Exhibition Design
Paul Greguric (A-Train) — DJ
Nastia Nie — Public Relations
Alice Tran — Gallery Sales