2009. 11. 13 MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
GALLERY HYUNDAI GANGNAM SPACE, Sinsa-dong
To Wednesday: “Ride This Train.”
Inspired by her recent return to Korea after a long stay in Germany, artist Lee Joung-a shows works that are reflective of her experiences abroad.
In some of the pieces on display, she attempts to show how people behave as they get on the subway, and all of her subjects are shown walking in one direction.
In other works in the exhibit, the backdrop is Shinsegae Department Store in Banpo-dong. These works focus on the patterns of modern capitalism and the tendency for human beings to gather in places for entertainment and to spend money. The pictures in this series focus more on the movements of the body than on the people themselves, which gives the works a dramatic feel and produces an insightful look at the deep emotions present in today’s society.
In one painting in this series titled “Situation(female)” three female shoppers appear in the center of the canvas holding luxurious bags. Their similar body shapes and styles of dress seem to suggest something about the women of today.
Apgujeong Station, line No. 3, exit 2
www.galleryhyundai.com
ONE AND J. GALLERY, Gahoe-dong
To Dec. 5: “Another Boring Day.”
The work of artist Kwon Kyung-hwan addresses the violent images that bombard us, on television, the Internet and in other mass media formats. Kwon explores how these images of terror, death, war and suicide, which present themselves almost daily, work to numb us to the real pain and suffering of the people we see. He tries to portray this reality by simplifying the images with lines. The works present death, which has always been interpreted as something to be feared, as nothing more than an image, with all feeling removed.
In the piece titled “2009,” Kwon uses the outline of an image of a dead body that he found on the Internet. What remains is the undeniable presence of the dead body but not the horrific details about it.
His paintings, drawings, sculpture and videos juxtapose cartoons and pop culture images with apocalyptic or war scenes, mixing two vastly different but familiar images. The result is that the power of the individual image is counterbalanced by the images that surround it.
Kwon has shown his work in many group exhibitions worldwide including in Paris, Hong Kong and the United States.
In 2007, he and French artist Lionel Sabatte held a two-person show at One and J. Gallery, which was curated by Michel Nuridsany.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 2
www.oneandj.com
GALLERY K.O.N.G., Palpan-dong
To Dec. 6: “Unstable Beauty.”
Artist Min Jung-yeon, who is based in Paris, has been called one of the blue-chip artists of Asia.
The exhibition focuses on the dilemmas people face and the emotions that arise as they confront the negativity of today’s capitalist society.
The piece “A walk II” portrays a man on a walk with his dog. While it seems that there are peaceful clouds in the sky, we gradually come to realize that it is actually air pollution coming from a nearby factory.
Min typically takes more than three months to finish one piece, which allows her to bring out the details and originality of the scene she is trying to create.
Min has shown her work in solo and group exhibitions in Switzerland, Germany, the U.S. and France.
She trained at Hongik University, from which she received her license in painting, and L’Ecole National Superieure des Beaux-Arts, from which she received her graduate degree.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1
www.gallerykong.com
OPERA GALLERY, Cheongdam-dong
To Dec. 6: “Romero Britto.”
Brazilian artist Romero Britto is known for combining cubism and pop art to birth the new genre of “neo-pop cubism.” The subjects of his works are usually flowers or animals. These simple subjects are rendered in bold primary colors and then divided into pieces by bold black lines.
The brightness and boldness of his work has attracted the attention of a wide range of fans, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, actress Demi Moore and actor tuned governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, all of whom have purchased Britto’s paintings.
This exhibition consists of six paintings and eleven sculptures.
Britto, who came from a poor background himself, started a foundation for underprivileged children in 2007. He continued this work in Korea through an art and education event for low-income children.
Cheongdam Station, line No. 7, exit 9
www.operagallery.com
Information is culled from the galleries and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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