SEOUL, May 27 (SayArt) - One AND J. GALLERY, based in Seoul's Jongno-gu, is launching an international exhibition of three distinguished Korean artists — Dong-wook Suh, Ahnnlee Lee, and Yoonhee Choi — titled "Acquainted with the Night." The exhibit, running from June 2nd to 17th, will be housed in No.9 Cork Street, a dedicated exhibition space in Frieze, London. 

▲  Dongwohok Suh, SH, 2020, Courtesy One AND J.▲Dongwohok Suh, smoking DW, Courtesy One AND J.

This exhibition marks the gallery's inaugural international showcase for 2023, underscoring themes of solitude and alienation, compared metaphorically to the 'night.' The artists elucidate their personal experiences of inner darkness, employing a variety of artistic mediums — figurative painting by  Dong-wook Suh, abstract painting by Yoonhee Choi, and installation and sculpture by Ahnnlee Lee.

▲ Night-Indoor-Iris' Room, 2011, Courtesy One AND J.

Dong-wook Suh's figurative works unveil the concealed, shadowy aspects of modern humans, encapsulating a sense of loneliness amplified by his cinematic painting style. Yoonhee Choi's abstract works visualize the deep, swirling emotions she experiences within her body, capturing her intimate emotional movements. Complementing these pieces are Ahnnlee Lee's installations, which encapsulate tranquil moments of minor beings through her 2019 poem "Alchemy."

 

This exhibition shares its title with Robert Frost's 1928 poem, "Acquainted with the Night," and draws parallels between the isolation experienced a century ago and our digital age. The exhibit considers the increasing loneliness and alienation of modern society, despite our hyper-connected world.

The night is interpreted variously, depending on one's emotional state and circumstances. While often associated with melancholy and loneliness, it also provides a stage for deep introspection. The exhibition explores these multilayered facets of 'night,' highlighting the artists' personal illuminations of their inner darkness.

Dong-wook Suh's paintings reveal a compassionate gaze of humanity. He has spent over a decade developing the "Indoor Figures" series, in which he explores human interiors. His works blend the techniques of video and painting, capturing staged scenes with natural light in oil paintings. This approach evokes psychological nuances unseen in photographs.

▲  Yoonhee Choi, Path #3, 2023, Courtesy One AND J.▲Yoonhee Choi, Path #3, 2023, Courtesy One AND J.

Yoonhee Choi’s abstract paintings, starting with the "Silent Noise" series and progressing through "Fallen Out" and "Mouth of Sound," reflect her inner landscape. She visualizes her emotions through her physical movements, creating vast, abstract paintings that encapsulate her intimate relationship with the night.

 

▲ Yoonhee Choi, Fallen Out #1 (the changing beginning), 2023, Courtesy One AND J.

Ahnnlee Lee's installation and sculpture focus on everyday objects and moments, examining their pure essences. She imbues life into still objects, often using gestures like sewing, weaving, and scraping. Her metal (bronze) sculptures embody the desire for growth, inspired by the eponymous poem she wrote in 2019, "Alchemy."

 

▲ Ahnnlee Lee, Alchemy, Transmutation of Matter (details), 2023 , Courtesy One AND J.

The exhibition features a broad array of artists' solo and group exhibits, residencies, and awards.  Dongwook Suh, born in 1974, is a graduate of Hongik University's Department of Painting and the École Nationale Supérieure d'arts de Paris-Cergy. Ahnnlee Lee, born in 1985, and Yoonhee Choi, born in 1986, are both alumni of the Beaux-Arts de Paris. All three artists have had numerous exhibitions, residencies, and accolades in their careers, affirming their notable contributions to the art world.

▲ Ahnnlee Lee, Alchemy, Transmutation of Matter (details), 2023, Courtesy One AND J.

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