SEOUL — American contemporary artist Katherine Bernhardt, often dubbed the “Pink Panther painter,” is bringing her vivid, pop-infused artworks to South Korea for the first time in a large-scale retrospective.

Titled Katherine Bernhardt: Some of All My Work, the exhibition opens June 6 at the Hangaram Art Museum within the Seoul Arts Center. Organized as the largest and most comprehensive showcase of Bernhardt’s work to date, the retrospective spans over 25 years of her artistic journey, featuring more than 140 pieces, including paintings and sculptures.

“I think there’s something primal about what I do — using a brush to paint in this era of computers and technology,” Bernhardt says. “It feels kind of funny, but also cool, that I’m still doing this.”

Known for her bold brushstrokes and saturated colors, Bernhardt reimagines symbols of pop culture — from the Pink Panther and E.T. to Pikachu, The Simpsons, Doritos, and Nike logos — creating chaotic, expressive canvases that reflect the energy of contemporary consumer life.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Bernhardt studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York. She rose to international prominence after signing with the globally renowned David Zwirner Gallery.

The exhibition traces her career chronologically, beginning with her early Supermodel Series and culminating in several large-scale new works created specifically for the Seoul show. A standout feature is a life-sized reconstruction of Bernhardt’s St. Louis studio — occupying over 3,000 square feet — offering visitors an immersive look into the artist’s creative process and environment.

Centered around the question “What can be painted?”, Bernhardt’s work playfully intersects the visual language of mass culture with the spontaneity of painting, opening up fresh possibilities for contemporary art.

The exhibition runs through September 1.

Sayart / Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com