Art Space Lumos will inaugurate its first Local Artist Series with a solo exhibition by artist Choi Geun Hee titled Forgetting the Names of Flowers. The exhibition will run from January 24 to February 26 at the gallery located in Icheon-dong, Nam-gu.

Choi Geun Hee’s work focuses on plants that were once cherished and cultivated but have since been abandoned and forgotten. Through his lens, Choi captures the emotional depth of these plants, examining their scars, solitude, and relentless fight for survival. In his artist statement, Choi reflects, “These plants, once nurtured for gardens or to brighten homes, are now cast aside, labeled as weeds, and left to fend for themselves in the wild. Their withered flowers, torn and weathered, symbolize both the struggle to survive and the lingering trace of abandonment.”

The exhibition showcases a series of digital inkjet prints, including Mother of Thousands (2024, 41.91x27.9cm) and Hederacea (2024, 34.9x27.9cm), depicting plants such as the resilient Bryophyllum and Morning Glory. These works delve into the juxtaposition of the plants’ inherent strength and the melancholy of their circumstances. Choi emphasizes that the survival of these plants is less about adaptability and more about an urgent necessity to exist in a world that has forgotten them.

Choi’s approach invites viewers to consider the transient relationships between humans and nature. By portraying plants that thrive without human care, he encourages reflection on the things we once valued but have since let go. “They no longer wait for a touch of care,” Choi explains. “Their survival is a testament to their strength, but it is also a poignant reminder of their loneliness and desperation.”

Forgetting the Names of Flowers explores themes of memory, life’s persistence, and the inevitability of being forgotten. The exhibition also acts as a metaphor for human relationships and the fleeting nature of connections. By presenting these overlooked plants, Choi brings attention to their quiet resilience and the stories they silently tell.

The exhibition is jointly organized by the Korean Photo Contents Research Institute and Art Space Lumos. According to a representative from Art Space Lumos, “The artist seeks to encapsulate the finite nature of relationships between humans and nature. We hope this exhibition prompts visitors to reflect on the themes of memory, persistence, and the beauty of forgotten existence.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public until February 26. For more information, visit Art Space Lumos.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com