The Gallery Hyundai is currently presenting Shin Sung Hy’s groundbreaking triptych painting Empty Heart (1971) to the public for the first time as part of the exhibition Couturage, Nouage, on view from February 5 to March 16. This piece, completed when the artist was just 23 years old, is widely regarded as a pivotal work in his career, having earned him the Special Award at the 2nd Korean Art Grand-Prix Exhibition and marking a turning point in his artistic recognition.

Deeply rooted in surrealist aesthetics, Empty Heart unfolds through three interconnected narratives that explore the passage of time, spatial dislocation, and psychological transformation. The series depicts a woman asleep beneath a window, who vanishes as the window detaches from the wall, leaving only the artist’s signature in her place. Over time, the window frame appears to push outward into space, yet its core structure remains intact.

Noted art historian Taehi Kang (1947–2023) provided an insightful analysis of the piece, interpreting the floating window as a metaphor for artistic evolution and existential transition. He remarked that Shin’s early jute canvas works echoed the first scene of the triptych, while his later woven series corresponded to the final window, suggesting a continuity in the artist’s conceptual exploration of material and space. According to Kang, the signature in the piece could symbolize Shin’s devotion to inevitable change, with the window serving as both a finite structure and an endlessly expanding plane, much like the sky.

Shin Sung Hy’s work has long been recognized for its conceptual depth and formal innovation, blending textural experimentation with symbolic storytelling. His exploration of spatial expansion and fragmentation is evident throughout his oeuvre, which consistently challenges the relationship between objects and perception.

The exhibition, Couturage, Nouage, features Empty Heart alongside other key works that highlight Shin’s unique approach to form, materiality, and artistic narrative. This presentation at Gallery Hyundai marks a significant moment in the rediscovery of Shin’s legacy, allowing contemporary audiences to engage with a foundational piece of modern Korean surrealism.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com