[Exhibition of the Week] Robert Barry 'Beyond Circle and Square' · Isara Solo Exhibition and More

Editor's NoteThis week's exhibitions introduce a variety of attractive shows from across the country that can be experienced over the course of one week.

▲ Robert Barry Solo Exhibition 'Beyond Circle and Square' = Gallery Shilla Seoul presents the solo exhibition 'Beyond Circle and Square' by American conceptual artist Robert Barry.

Closed gallery, dimensions variable, 2024, ?Robert Barry.
Photo by Gallery Shilla

Robert Barry is one of the founding members of New York conceptual art alongside Douglas Huebler, Joseph Kosuth, and Lawrence Weiner. He gained recognition as a conceptual artist by participating in the monumental exhibition 'January 5 to 31, 1969,' curated by Seth Siegelaub.

Sharing a long-standing contemplation on the essence of the artist and art, Gallery Shilla, which held Robert Barry's first solo exhibition in Asia in 2018, has showcased the conceptual art master's new inquiries through two art fairs (ART OnO, Art Busan) and a solo exhibition in Seoul as a result of close collaboration.

Circle Red word (diptych), Robert Barry, each diameter 40.64 cm, acrylic on canvas, 8 pieces, 2023, ? Robert Barry
Photo by Gallery Shinra

At the previous two art fairs, Robert Barry's 'Closed Gallery,' which was selected as one of the top 10 booths at KIAF 2021 by the global art magazine ArtNews, was presented. Additionally, the booth featured the body of the resident guardian (Director Lee Jun-yeop) as a canvas, unveiling the artist's new work containing sharp questions about contemporary art.

This exhibition offers new works by the artist experimenting with the modulation of canvas angles, exploring the intersection of conceptual art and Eastern philosophy. Barry's works are held in collections at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Modern Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC, Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Centre Pompidou in France, National Museum of Modern Art in Paris, and Kunstmuseum Basel. The exhibition runs until July 6 at Gallery Shilla Seoul, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Strict Measures Against Outsiders Public Execution, 130.2×259.1 cm, Acrylic gouache on canvas, 2024
[Photo by Gallery O]

▲ Shin Da-in Invitational Exhibition 'Commemorating the Anniversaries' = Gallery O presents the invitational exhibition 'Commemorating the Anniversaries' by Shin Da-in. This exhibition consists of two paintings depicting moments of life celebrations such as weddings and birthday parties, and one painting hinting at death within peer group culture during school days.

The artist's works, which traverse moments of birth, celebration, and death, paradoxically explore the self through relationships with others encountered in everyday life, expressed pictorially.

The many faces appearing on the canvas symbolize the diverse narratives about relationships that the works address. Anyone living in society and forming relationships has likely faced moments of feeling alienated when interacting with others. Relationships are the fundamental condition for discovering the self as an independent individual, and depending on the mode of each relationship, they capture the gap between 'the self as an entity before others' and 'the pure concept of self as I perceive it.'

Commemorating the anniversaries 130.3×259.2 cm, Acrylic gouache on canvas, 2024. [Photo by Gallery O]

Art critic Lee Chung-ryun explains, "The cracks that arise at this moment provoke doubt about what a subjective self is, leading to a deep consciousness of a divided self. The combination of figures depicted in simple yet twisted forms and the strangely decorative images in the works represent a portrait of this divided self."

The artist states, "In an era overflowing with diverse desires and values, achieving a proper understanding of oneself is the only task to avoid losing humanity." He adds, "Through this exhibition, I hope visitors have the opportunity to focus on their unique inner selves." The exhibition runs until the 27th at Gallery O, Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Wonderland, 112x194cm, Acrylic on wood, 2024 [Photo by Noh Gallery]

▲ Lee Sara Solo Exhibition 'What Happened in The Wonderland' = No Gallery presents Lee Sara's solo exhibition 'What Happened in The Wonderland,' depicting a happy and curious world. The artist showcases over 20 new works from the 'Wonderland' series in this exhibition.

Since 1998, the artist has pursued realistic-style works exploring memories and longing for the pure innocence of childhood, as well as the essence within the human interior. The current works narrate the utopia the artist dreams of, with the core of this utopia, 'Wonderland,' being 'childlike innocence (童心).' It is a dream world full of happiness and curiosity, and a space where the artist's pure heart manifests. The innocent girls in the works invite us to this utopia, evoking nostalgia for a pure childhood and reflection on innocence.

By mixing various materials such as architectural supplies, applying over ten layers, sanding repeatedly, and layering thin coats of acrylic paint multiple times, the artist builds extremely flat yet densely layered surfaces. Then, using a small blade, white lines are scratched out and patterned through countless repetitions to complete the work. The long process of scratching each line is a kind of spiritual practice for the artist and a ritual wishing good fortune to viewers. This meticulous and symbolic process helps viewers deeply immerse themselves in the works.

Wonderland, 95x121cm, Acrylic on wood, 2024, Lavender frame
Photo by Noh Gallery

This exhibition unfolds a new narrative inspired by emotions felt while walking along the night sea. Boys and girls with eyes full of fantasy, monsters appear, stars and the moon shine brightly in the night sky, and brightly scattering roses create a more romantic and lovely atmosphere. The book of the same name, 'What Happened in The Wonderland,' which explores the worldview of Wonderland and its characters built by the artist so far, will be newly published to coincide with the exhibition.

This solo exhibition not only presents a new story but also deepens the Wonderland worldview through the medium of a book, sharing the fantasy utopia with visitors. The exhibition runs until the 26th at No Gallery, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

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