▲ Water Drops by Kim Tschang-yeul ⓒ Gallery Hyundai 

Renowned Korean artist Kim Tschang-yeul, celebrated for his lifelike depictions of water droplets, continues to captivate audiences posthumously. His fascination with this motif began in 1971 and persisted until his passing in 2021 at the age of 91.

Gallery Hyundai in Seoul is currently hosting the exhibition "Beyond Iridescence," marking the third anniversary of Kim's death. This exhibition, the 15th solo showcase of his career, showcases approximately 30 artworks spanning from the early 1970s to the 2010s, demonstrating Kim's profound artistic evolution.

Kim's journey was deeply influenced by Korea's tumultuous modern history. Born in 1929 in South Pyongan Province, now part of North Korea, his pursuit of art at Seoul National University was interrupted by the Korean War in 1950.

Haunted by memories of war and survivor's guilt, Kim's hyperrealistic depictions of water droplets on various media, including linen and hanji, have been interpreted as a form of spiritual meditation and a visual lamentation for the deceased. 

▲ Water Drops by Kim Tschang-yeul ⓒ Gallery Hyundai In his own words, Kim described his art as an effort to dissolve everything into transparency, aiming to achieve peace and serenity by confronting anxiety and fear through emptiness.

The documentary "The Man Who Paints Water Drops," released in 2021 and directed by Kim's son Oan Kim and French artist Brigitte Bouillot, offers a poignant glimpse into the artist's life and creative process, shedding light on lesser-known facets of his work, including installation pieces inspired by water droplets, which are also featured in the ongoing exhibition.

"Beyond Iridescence" will run at Gallery Hyundai until Sunday, offering art enthusiasts an opportunity to immerse themselves in Kim Tschang-yeul's enduring artistic legacy.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com