[Exhibition of the Week] Kim Ik-yeong Special Exhibition ‘Bowa Gwe’ · Shin So-eon, Glass Duo Exhibition and More

Photo by Gallery Meme

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] ▲Kim Ik-young Special Exhibition: Bow and Gwe = A special exhibition highlighting the artistic world of ceramic artist Kim Ik-young, who turns 88 this year, will be held. Gallery MIM is hosting the Kim Ik-young special exhibition, showcasing the artist’s 50-year exploration of the essence of Korean beauty, until December 18. This exhibition, which illuminates the artist’s unwavering passion and depth of work over half a century, presents around 30 pieces including representative works that attempt a fusion of Joseon white porcelain and modernism, as well as new works reflecting fresh challenges.

Kim Yikyung (Toujunn), Gwe4 2022 21.5Hx21x18. Photo by Gallery MIM

In particular, the new works that reinterpret the ancient ritual vessels ‘Bow(?)’ and ‘Gwe(?)’ in a modern way attract attention by embodying the artist’s consistent artistic philosophy and world, elevating everyday objects to contemporary art. Regarded as the “beginning of the Korean ceramic spirit,” the artist continuously experiments and practices the fusion of tradition and modernity through his works. This exhibition allows visitors to observe at a glance how the artist’s expression of both artistry and practicality leads to the origin of Korean beauty. The exhibition runs from November 2 to December 18 at Gallery MIM, Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Photo by The Soso

▲Lee Jin-hyung Solo Exhibition 'O' = Gallery The Soso is hosting a solo exhibition titled 'O' by artist Lee Jin-hyung. The title 'O,' which can be seen as an alphabet, a number, or a shape, symbolizes the artist’s open artistic world inviting various interpretations. Using diverse images derived from visual media as materials, the artist focuses on the process of viewing to create new images independent from their sources.

The work, which carefully stacks scenes captured while focusing on the subject and shifting the gaze, creates delicate and beautiful paintings unique to the artist. In this exhibition composed of paintings free from both meaning and form, the artist gazes at the fleeting moment just before focus is achieved, the zoom-in moment when the viewpoint fixes on one part and the surroundings blur, and the moment when shapes appear distorted as the gaze moves.

He then transfers what he has seen onto the canvas to make it visible. Because he never stops observing during this process, the works form delicate layers each time the artist’s gaze captures something. The exhibition runs until November 25 at The Soso, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul.

Glass, heavy wings and an empty body, canola on panel, 116.8x72.7cm, 2022. Photo by Page Room 8

▲Shin So-eon and Yuri Two-Person Exhibition 'From an Imperfect World to a Perfect Boundary' = Page Room 8 will hold a two-person exhibition featuring artists Shin So-eon and Yuri titled 'From an Imperfect World to a Perfect Boundary' from November 4 to November 27. This exhibition is the sixth installment of the Page Room 8 project ‘Shadow Esquisse,’ focusing on drawing elements within the works. Visitors can experience works that highlight the color sensibility and process impressively expressed by ceramic artist Shin So-eon and painter Yuri, while exploring themes and expressions situated between phenomenon and existence.

Color is a powerful component of art. It excels at expressing imagination that cannot be conveyed through language or gestures and sensitively activates visual thresholds. Shin So-eon works with ceramics on the theme of animals’ “warning colors.” Warning colors are typically used by prey to signal predators that they are toxic or highly defensive. The artist creates these warning colors using glazes. To find the desired color, a thorough research process is required to determine the appropriate mixing ratios of oxidized metal compounds such as iron, copper, and cobalt, and to anticipate the results of their melting and flowing at high temperatures above 1250 degrees Celsius.

Sinoeon, Collector's Egg 1, White Porcelain 8x8x15cm, 2022. Photo by Page Room 8

Painter Yuri is interested in expressing with painting the boundary points between visible phenomena or meanings conveyed by language and the “imperfect” aspects that remain unexpressed. The keyword “imperfect,” as described by the artist, may be an undiscovered unknown realm to some, but for the artist, it is an entry into a visually realizable, infinite world. The ambiguous and unclear shapes in the works appear as if quickly captured within a transient mirage. The harmony of desaturated complementary colors evokes landscapes of vague feelings such as emotions and atmosphere.

Both artists form relational networks within their works through their unique colors at the perfect boundary points. The intense and lasting impressions left by these colors are special. They are not merely visual elements within the ceramic and painting genres but are directly connected to the artists’ thematic consciousness. The exhibition runs from November 4 to November 27 at Page Room 8, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.