▲ The installation view of the exhibition ⓒ Johyun Gallery

Johyun Gallery in Seoul will host a solo exhibition of Claude Viallat, one of the most prominent contemporary color artists, from July 11 to August 18.

Viallat, a founding member of the avant-garde art group "Supports/Surfaces" in France, is known for breaking the conventional boundaries of canvas painting. This exhibition will feature Viallat's new works created between 2017 and 2024.

Johyun Gallery first established a connection with the artist through a solo exhibition in 2005. The gallery has since showcased major retrospectives and Viallat's first hanji (traditional Korean paper) works in 2017 and 2023. This upcoming solo exhibition will present 19 of his latest pieces, including his most recent creations, drawing significant attention from the art community.

▲ The portrait of the artist ⓒ Johyun Gallery

Born in 1936 in Nîmes, southern France, Claude Viallat has been living and working in his hometown. He studied painting at the École des Beaux-Arts in Montpellier from 1955 to 1959 and at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Raymond Legueult from 1962 to 1963.

As a pioneer of the "Supports/Surfaces" group formed in the 1970s, Viallat removed the wooden frame from canvases and expanded the foundation of his works, revolutionizing traditional painting methods. Starting with industrial tarpaulins, Viallat developed an abstract pattern resembling beans, palettes, or joints, which became his signature style after its discovery in 1966. 

▲ 2021/323, 2021, Acrylic on fabricl, 260x103cm ⓒ Claude Viallat, Johyun Gallery

He held a retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in 1982, represented France at the Venice Biennale in 1988, and created stained glass windows for the Nevers Cathedral in the same year. Viallat also taught in cities like Nice, Limoges, Marseille, and Paris, and served as the dean of the University of Nîmes. His works are part of numerous public collections, including the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris, the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Museum of Art in Osaka.

Visitors to this exhibition will have the opportunity to experience Viallat's unique and innovative approach to color and form. Johyun Gallery aims to provide a platform for art enthusiasts and collectors to appreciate and acquire works by this distinguished artist. This exhibition not only highlights Viallat's recent creations but also celebrates his enduring influence on contemporary art.

▲ The installation view of the exhibition ⓒ Johyun Gallery

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com