▲ The portrait of the artists ⓒ Waterfall Gallery, SayArt

The exhibition "Rituals of Repetition: Portals to Eternity" will be held at the CAFA Art Museum, known for its prestige in China, from July 7 to August 25. This exhibition features over 100 major works prepared by four Korean artists over more than a year.

This is the first exhibition to invite contemporary Korean artists since the Nam June Paik exhibition, aiming to transform the political and economic tensions between Korea and China into art, fostering a beginning of positive diplomatic relations. 

▲ #10 Space of 8mm, 2018, Ceramic, glaze, 31.6x17inch ⓒ Lee Seung Hee, Waterfall Gallery

The exhibition highlights four leading figures in Korean modernist art: Lee Seung Hee based in Jingdezhen, China; Lee Jin Woo based in Paris, France; Jinwon Chang based in New York, USA; and Shin Youngho, who works between Beijing and Seoul. Their artistic discipline serves not merely as a conclusion but as a tool to reveal new horizons of possibilities beyond life and death.

Lee Seung Hee demonstrates the evolution of contemporary ceramic art and installations. His new series "Like Paper" explores the potential of ceramics by bending and scratching paper-thin clay surfaces, revealing hidden potential even after the material solidifies.

▲ Untitled (1), 2019, Charcoal and Hanji paper, 37.5x50.75inch ⓒ Lee Jin Woo, Waterfall Gallery

Lee Jin Woo presents ink drawings using charcoal on acrylic-covered linen and Hanji paper, inspired by physical and mental exhaustion to create profound layers. His monumental piece "Long River," spanning five meters, will make its debut.

Chang Jinwon’s meditative approach through stillness and meticulous layering fosters a deep connection with the regenerative essence of consciousness. His 19 major paintings explore the depths of darkness, shadows, and light, embodying his journey towards eternal light and transcendence.

▲ Eternal Beauty (1), 2016, Korean Ink, Acrylic, Pencil, Color Pen on Korean Traditional Paper, 56x56inch ⓒ Jinwon Chang, Waterfall Gallery

Shin Youngho, a scholar fluent in traditional Eastern techniques and calligraphy, delves into the foundational aspects of painting alongside contemporary interpretations. His "Nomad Series" offers a contemplation of modern existence through the perspective of ants.

The exhibition is co-curated by Kate Shin, founder of the Waterfall Arts Foundation in New York, and Chunchen Wang, a leading figure in contemporary Chinese art curation at CAFA. Kate Shin praises the exhibition for showcasing the serene flow of modern Korean art amidst the chaos. 

▲ Liquid DrawingBB47, 237X139cm, 2023 ⓒ Shin Young Ho

Chunchen Wang emphasizes that the exhibition highlights the originality of Korean art, which has become a global artistic lineage through the perseverance and development of Korean artists over generations.

This exhibition is a significant showcase of the unique artistic interpretations of materials, processes, and methods by four artists who resist general categorization or assimilation in contemporary art.▲ The poster of the exhibition ⓒ Waterfall Gallery

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com