▲ The poster of the exhibition ⓒ Whitestone Gallery

Florentijn Hofman, an installation artist and contemporary artist based in the Netherlands, will hold a solo exhibition, 'Inclusive' in South Korea.

Hofman is an artist who is widely known for his large-scale urban installations, which magnify animals much larger than life. He gained international fame with his Rubber-duck series, which is a large duck sculpture floating on the water's edge in major cities around the world, including Seoul.

▲ Flip Flop Monkey in Edition 3/7, Ceramic, 122x41x128cm, 2019 ⓒ Whitestone Gallery

He reconstructs his perspective on everyday objects and produces works with popular and comfortable charm. The familiarity and humor given by the works make it possible for the public to treat his works favorably and friendly. For the artist, connectivity, social participation and interaction with the audience are important factors in the creative process.

The artist uses materials with local characteristics in his works and encourages people to participate so that local people can sympathize with and experience a bond with the work.

▲ Steelman in Edition 3/7, Ceramic, 51x104x65cm, 2019 ⓒ Whitestone Gallery

For example, 'Fat Monkey', a giant monkey sculpture installed in Sao Paulo, combines 10,000 brightly colored Brazilian icon flip-flops. He creates interactions between people by utilizing the special materials and culture of the area that residents can easily recognize.

In addition to bird and bear family sculptures, the artist will display several small-scale sculptures together. He will also display small versions of his famous public installations such as 'Hippo Thames', 'Fat Monkey', and 'Moon Rabbit'. 

▲ Cheetah, Stainless steel, 180x343x20, 2018 ⓒ Whitestone Gallery

The artist will also display the works of the 'Line' series, which he first introduced in Hong Kong in 2018. 'Line' is an important element in the artist's aesthetics, which explores the nature and beauty of shapes. The series is a minimalist depiction of animals in stainless steel, based on endangered animals.

In the exhibition, the artist expresses an equal culture that values appreciates, and welcomes people from all backgrounds and various characteristics under the theme of 'Inclusion'. He hopes that visitors will share messages of friendship, memories, and peace with their family and friends through the exhibition.

▲ Rubber-duck in Hong Kong, 2007 ⓒ ARRThe exhibition, which will run until January 7 next year at the Whitestone Gallery in Jongro-gu, Seoul, is the fourth solo exhibition by an artist with the gallery and the first solo exhibition at a Seoul Branch.

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com