2019.8.2 Museums & Galleries

LOOKING AND SEEING

Barakat Contemporary

Through Sunday: British artist Gary Hume, a distinguished member of Young British Artists, is hosting his first solo exhibition in Korea. Most of Hume’s pieces, which are usually painted on large aluminum panels, are instantly recognizable by their vivid colors and glossy finishes. In this exhibition, Hume features a variety of works, including the paintings: “Big Bird” (2010), a combined image of a bird that is made up of six individual panels, “Mom On The Couch” (2017), the silhouette of the artist’s mother, “Tired Child” (2016), the white outline of a young child on a contrasting red background, “Untitled” (2019), a speculative piece that contains three pole-like fixtures on a beige background and more.

In the gallery, Hume also features some of his other works. One of which, “Sculpture 1” (2009), is an abstract sculpture made of marble and gloss paint in the shape of a contorted “V.” From other angles, it looks like a pair of appendages.

The exhibition illustrates Hume’s diverse selection of subjects for his works and the tasteful simplicity and objectivity of his pieces.

Admission is free. The art center is closed on Mondays. Go to Anguk station, line No. 3, exit 1.

(02) 730-1949, www.barakatcontemporary.com

DAVID HOCKNEY: WORKS FROM THE TATE

COLLECTION

Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), Jung District

Through Sunday: The largest-ever retrospective of celebrated British painter David Hockney in Asia features 133 paintings, drawings and prints by Hockney, one of the world’s most influential living artists.

The exhibit includes Hockney’s iconic painting “A Bigger Splash” (1967) among his painting series of Californian pools, as well as “Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy” (1970-71) among his series of two-people portraits.

Among other highlights are the panoramic “Bigger Trees Near Warter” (2007) that measures approximately 12 meters (40 feet) in width and is composed of 50 small panels to show a scene seen from multiple slightly different viewpoints.

Admission is 15,000 won ($12.63) and can be purchased via ticket.melon.com. The museum is closed on Mondays. Go to Seoul City Hall Station, line No. 2, exit 10 and walk for five minutes.

1833-8085, www.davidhockneyseoul.com

JAMES JEAN: ETERNAL JOURNEY

Lotte Museum of Art, Songpa District

Through Sept. 1: Held at Lotte World Tower’s own gallery space, this colorful exhibition presents the works of Taiwanese-American artist James Jean, including movie posters, paintings, cover art for DC Comics, sculptures and more.

Among the featured works are illustrated movie posters Jean designed for “The Shape of Water” (2017), “Blade Runner 2049” (2017) and Korean film “The Divine Fury,” which stars Park Seo-jun. New paintings inspired by traditional Korean colors are also on display.

Admission is 15,000 won for adults and 12,000 for students. Go to Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 2 and go to the 7th floor of Lotte World Tower.

1544-7744, www.lottemuseum.com

THROUGH THE EYES OF JOSEON PAINTERS: REAL SCENERY LANDSCAPES OF KOREA

National Museum of Korea, Yongsan District

Through Sept. 22 : The exhibition features landscape paintings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) depicting Korea’s mountains and rivers. Known as silgyeong sansuhwa in Korean, the museum displays about 360 of them.

There are several paintings that are being exhibited for the first time, including “Gyeongpodae Pavilion” and “Chongseokjeong Pavilion,” that were painted by an unknown artist during the 16th century. The two paintings have recently been donated from Japan to the National Museum of Korea. Although the artist is unknown, the paintings have a postscript that explains when the paintings were produced and other details.

Admission is 5,000 won. Go to Ichon Station, line No. 4, exit 2.

(02) 2077-9045, www.museum.go.kr

SEONG: FANTASTIC CITY

Suwon IPark Museum of Art, Suwon, Gyeonggi

Through Nov. 3 : This exhibition celebrates King Jeongjo (1752-1800), who has served as inspiration for countless Korean films and books with his progressive social reforms and landmark projects like the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi. The show features 10 contemporary artists’ brand new paintings, installations and video works inspired by Jeongjo and the Hwaseong Fortress, including paintings by Min Joung-ki, the artist behind the famous “Mount Bukhan” painting featured during last year’s historic inter-Korean summit.

The museum chose to present the show in the style of a royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), dimming the lights to create a solemn yet mystical aura. Exhibition spaces are divided to correspond with actual sections that make up the tomb.

Tickets are priced at 4,000 won for adults. The museum is closed on Mondays. Go to Suwon Station, line No. 1, exit 9, and take bus 11, 13, 16, 35 or 46 to get off at the Hwaseong Temporal Palace stop.

(031) 228-3800, sima.suwon.go.kr