The following is an interview with award-winning cartoonist Frank Cho on the recent launch of an exhibition of his artwork at the Philippe Labaune Gallery in New York City. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Cho about the collaborative process of bringing the exhibition to life alongside curator Nathaniel Pallant and the Philippe Labaune Gallery, what he hopes that visitors will take away from his body of work, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently launched a new exhibition of your work at the Philippe Labaune Gallery in New York. What can you share with us about the genesis behind this particular exhibit, and how would you describe your creative process in curating the select comic art, sketch work, and paintings to be featured?
Frank Cho: It was relatively straightforward. Nathaniel Pallant, an avid art collector and globetrotter with an impressive network of international media and publishing connections, sought me out at Lake Como Comic Art Festival in Italy, where I was a guest.Â
Nathaniel connected me with Philippe Labaune, the owner and art dealer at the prestigious Philippe Labaune Art Gallery in New York City. We met at Philippe’s grand art gallery and hit it off. Soon after, Nathanial and Philippe came to my house/art studio and spent the afternoon poring over my immense collection of original art. From there, everything fell into place quickly.
BD: Likewise, what can you share with us about your experience in collaborating with curator Nathaniel Pallant and the Philippe Labaune Gallery in order to represent your life’s creative work?
FC: I’m very impressed with both men, Philippe Labaune and Nathaniel Pallant. Both men have profound knowledge and love of illustrations and comic art, domestic and international. The generosity and clear vision of Philippe Labaune and how his art gallery represents artists are very refreshing and satisfying. I also value my curator, Nathaniel Pallant; his transparency and reliability are top-notch. He takes a very personalized and unique approach. This whole exhibition feels like a real partnership, not just a business arrangement.
BD: In revisiting your previous work, was there anything new or intriguing that you took away from the imagery that you hadn’t anticipated when originally creating it?
FC: The sheer amount of work I’ve done in different styles and mediums caught me by surprise as Philippe and Nathaniel pulled out and spread my art around my studio. From my ballpoint pen drawings to oil painting, to ink work, I realized, to my joy, how I keep pushing myself as an artist. I hope this exhibition will showcase my evolution and progression as an artist.
BD: This exhibit will continue the gallery’s focus on seminal comics creators. What, if any, conversations do you feel that this exhibit may evoke from attendees?
FC: First of all, I’m just gobsmacked that Philippe and Nathaniel included me in the company of seminal comic creators like Moebius, Will Eisner, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, and master artists of the comic industry. I think fans who know me solely as a comic artist will be pleasantly surprised by my range of artistic expression and taste. I hope the fans and attendees grasp the broad scope of my artistic vision, extending beyond comics, and walk away with a newfound appreciation for the spectrum of my artistic passion and style.
BD: Lastly, what are you most excited for attendees to experience with the exhibit, whether a personal favorite selection of your work or one that has been most meaningful to you?
FC: Ultimately, this exhibit aims to showcase the best and most diverse array of styles and genres I’ve created over the years, and I hope my fans enjoy this artistic walk down memory lane as much as I have. I hope the attendees see the possibility of art as I bridge the gap between the classical art of the old masters, Golden Age Illustrators, and comic book art. Above all, I hope the attendees experience joy.
