Grimson Gallery in Seoul’s Insadong district will host Here and Now, a group exhibition featuring three promising emerging artists—Kim Dong Woo, Ryu Seung Joo, and Yoon Ji Hyun—from February 19 to March 7, 2025. Selected through the gallery’s annual open call for new artists, this exhibition provides a platform for fresh and innovative perspectives, highlighting the evolving narratives of contemporary Korean art.

The Here and Now exhibition is part of Grimson Gallery’s long-standing initiative to support rising talent who have had fewer than two solo exhibitions. Each year, the gallery selects artists who not only showcase technical skills but also present distinctive conceptual approaches and artistic voices. The 2025 selection reflects a common thread: an introspective exploration of personal and societal dynamics, presented through diverse mediums and thought-provoking themes.

This year’s featured artists bring a unique sensitivity to contemporary issues, focusing less on following mainstream social currents and more on personal reflections, emotional landscapes, and nuanced interpretations of the human experience. Rather than adhering to grand narratives or commercial trends, their works emphasize individuality and the intimate tensions of the present moments.

Kim Dong Woo’s works explore the duality of life and death, using family as a central motif. His black-and-white compositions evoke the grainy texture of old film reels, creating a dreamlike atmosphere where reality blurs into fantasy. Through symbolic storytelling and monochromatic contrasts, Kim invites viewers to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence and the fragile ties that bind generations.

Ryu Seung Joo focuses on the fluid boundary between existence and non-existence. Her art juxtaposes the imperfection of the present with nostalgic fragments of the past, creating layered visual narratives that question the nature of memory and perception. By intertwining positive recollections with the uncertainties of the current moment, Ryu challenges viewers to reconsider how personal history shapes identity and consciousness.

Yoon Ji Hyun, meanwhile, delves into the subtle dynamics of human emotions and relationships. Her delicate lines and flowing forms capture the invisible connections between people, revealing the tensions, harmony, and vulnerability embedded in human interactions. By using fine lines and abstract contours, Yoon creates a meditative space where viewers can explore the complex emotional currents that often go unnoticed in daily life.

The title Here and Now encapsulates the core intent of the exhibition—an invitation to pause, reflect, and engage with the immediacy of the present moment. In a fast-paced world often driven by commercialism and rapid consumption, these emerging artists offer an alternative approach: art as a means of introspection, emotional exploration, and meaningful connection.

Grimson Gallery has long positioned itself as a champion of contemporary Korean art, particularly by nurturing artists who demonstrate not only technical mastery but also the potential for sustained creative growth. By focusing on authenticity and depth over fleeting trends, the gallery continues to serve as a crucial platform for voices that might otherwise remain unheard.

Here and Now offers audiences an opportunity to engage with the concerns, curiosities, and creative energies shaping Korea’s new generation of artists. Visitors can expect a thought-provoking experience, one that encourages reflection on individual identity, the passage of time, and the many ways art can bridge personal and collective narratives.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com