From October 10 to 31, 2024, Hidden M Gallery will host Maeng Eunhee’s latest solo exhibition, My Paradise: Colored by Sensation. This marks her fifth solo exhibition at the gallery and features 20 new works that explore the profound emotional resonance between nature and the creative process. Maeng’s paintings are deeply personal reflections on how she experiences the world, particularly through the lens of color and intuitive brushstrokes.

For Maeng, the moment she first encounters the beauty of nature mirrors the sensation she feels when the paintbrush first touches the canvas. These two seemingly disparate events share a similar emotional intensity that, for the artist, allows her to momentarily forget the hardships of reality. In these fleeting moments, she enters what she calls her "paradise"—a space where she can create freely and intuitively. The works in this exhibition capture these moments, transforming the images and sensations that arise from her interactions with nature into vibrant, abstract forms.

Maeng's artistic process is highly intuitive and spontaneous. She works quickly, applying paint in fluid brushstrokes, aiming to complete each piece before the paint dries. This approach allows her to capture the immediacy of the moment, creating works that feel alive and dynamic. The interaction between the paint and brush is not always predictable; instead, Maeng embraces the unexpected results that emerge, allowing the creative process to unfold without rigid plans or predetermined outcomes. For her, painting is not about achieving a specific form or meaning but about the act of creation itself—a meditative process that allows her to cleanse her mind and focus on the present.

The significance of color plays a central role in Maeng’s work. Each shade, brushstroke, and texture evokes a range of emotions and sensations that connect deeply with human psychology. Color becomes a vehicle for exploring the subconscious, allowing both the artist and the viewer to momentarily step outside the pressures of daily life. Maeng hopes that through her art, viewers can experience this same sense of freedom, briefly forgetting the demands of reality and immersing themselves in the world of color and sensation.

Her works are a testament to the power of abstraction. Rather than focusing on specific forms, Maeng uses color and texture to create an emotional landscape. In doing so, she invites viewers to interpret the works through their own experiences and emotions. For Maeng, the interaction between the viewer and the artwork is just as important as the act of creation itself. She believes that art allows for the preservation of fleeting moments and memories, enabling both the artist and the audience to engage in a shared experience of reflection and introspection.

Through her latest series, Maeng challenges the conventional understanding of form and meaning. Her works are not intended to represent any particular object or scene but instead, seek to capture the essence of emotion or moment. This abstract approach allows her to focus on the sensory and emotional impact of her paintings, inviting viewers to engage with the artworks on a deeper, more personal level.

Ultimately, My Paradise: Colored by Sensation reflects Maeng Eunhee’s belief that art is a form of emotional expression, a way to explore the complexities of the human mind and spirit. Her works are meditations on the power of color, texture, and sensation to evoke feelings that are often difficult to articulate. Through this exhibition, Maeng continues to explore the intersection of the natural world and the creative process, offering viewers a chance to step into her world—her paradise—and reflect on their emotional landscapes.

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com