Exploring the Depths of Desire, Hurt, Hope, and Anxiety Through the Interpretation of Life by Kwun Suncheol, Park Chiho, Suh Jungtae, Chung Hyun, and Hyoseok Han ▲ The “DEUL SOOM NALSOOM Humanscape” opening event held at Gallery KKI until June 10th. Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI

Gallery KKI in Paju, South Korea, is currently hosting a joint exhibition of five esteemed Korean painters, Kwun Suncheol, Park Chiho, Suh Jungtae, Chung Hyun, and Hyoseok Han, until June 10th. The exhibition titled "DEUL SOOM NAL SOOM the hamanscape, 들숨날숨 인간풍경" delves into the profound themes of desire, hurt, hope, and anxiety as interpreted through the painters' perspectives on life and existence. Notably, the diverse genres and techniques of the artists' works offer a philosophical exploration for viewers on the concepts of addition and subtraction in art. 

▲ A view of the “DEUL SOOM NALSOOM Humanscape” exhibition hall at Gallery KKI until June 10th. Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI

The featured painters boast impressive biographies, starting with Kwun Suncheol, who has dedicated 50 years to painting and has gained international recognition with his depictions of Korean landscapes and portraits of Koreans. His unique style characterized by thick matière and rough brush strokes resonates deeply with the audience, and he has been lauded by experts as a master of figure painting. Kwun also made significant contributions to the history of Korean art as the first president of the "소나무회," which transformed an old tank maintenance factory into an art hub near Paris, France.

▲ Kwun Soonchul, Face, 2007-2014, oil on canvas, 260×194cm Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI▲ Soonchul Kwon, Untitled, 2009, oil on canvas, 140×119.5cm Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI

Park Chiho, hailing from Jeollanam-do, Korea, is renowned for his poignant exploration of the relationship between personal wounds and social reality. Through his portrayal of fragmented bodies as floating objects in the sea, he captures the interplay between parts and wholes in the cycle of life on canvas. In his recent exhibition titled "Big-Man: Resurrecting the Body" at the Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art, Park interprets his work as an exploration of the self amidst inherent wounds, uncovering the true essence of one's being.

 

▲ Park Chiho, body standing up again, Acrylic on linen, 259×194cm,Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI▲ Park Chiho,,2021,acrylic on newspaper,Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI

Suh Jungtae, known for his deep and vibrant colors, has pursued his unique style of Korean color painting for decades. Drawing from the traditional aspects of Korean painting, Suh's works are seen as a result of meticulous self-cultivation. His early works delve into the themes of frankness, sensuality, and sincerity, portraying the fundamental desire to unite the world and life. His iconic "woman with big eyes" is interpreted as a representation of himself observing the changing times, adding depth and complexity to his oeuvre.

▲ Suh Jungtae, Blue Portrait, 1998, Color on Jangji, 65 x 79cm (Variation No. 25), Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI▲ Suh Jungtae, , 2021, Jangji Conte, 132 x 85cm_3,4 (Variation No. 60), Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI

Chung Hyun, an artist who explores the vitality of humans and materials through sculptural language, utilizes industrial waste as his medium, breathing new life into the discarded. Drawing with pencil, rust, and coal tar, he infuses "uselessness" with renewed vitality, particularly showcasing the tough materiality of wood in recent works. His art exudes existential aesthetics, reflecting on the passage of time and the resilience of materials.

 

▲ Chung Hyun, , 1997, resin, 95 x 50 x 190(h)cm (height of seat 36cm), Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI▲ Chung Hyun, <무제>, 2002, 콜타르, 33.8x30cm, Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI

Hyoseok Han, known for his thought-provoking paintings resembling chunks of peeled-off flesh, delves into the issues of desire and capital in his work. Han gained international recognition as one of the 34 representative Korean contemporary artists selected by the Saatchi Gallery curator team in the UK in 2012. His artwork evokes a sense of peeling off emotional pain rather than depicting mere "meat," and his characters exude a strange humor, resembling a masked joker hiding inner wounds behind the laughter.

▲ Hyoseok Han,, 2009-2010,oil on canvas ,216 x 144cm, Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKI▲ Hyoseok Han, , 2011-2013, oil on canvas ,218x148cm, Photo courtesy of @Gallery KKIThe joint exhibition at Gallery KKI is a rare opportunity to witness the works of these five distinguished artists, each with their unique perspectives and interpretations of life. Admission to the exhibition is free, and Gallery KKI is helmed by Lee Kwang-Gi

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