JHU, an emerging artist known for his experimental approach to visual storytelling, presents his solo exhibition Whimsical Chick (얄궂은 병아리) at Gallery MEME’s M’cube from January 15 to February 23, 2025. As part of M’cube’s initiative to support young artists exploring the boundaries of experimental art, this exhibition reflects JHU’s journey of artistic self-discovery and his embrace of intuitive creativity.
The exhibition delves into JHU’s fascination with contradiction and imperfection, embracing art that challenges conventional aesthetics. The central motif—a peculiar chick character with distinctive, off-centered eyes—invites viewers into a world where stability and imbalance coexist, mirroring the artist's philosophy of embracing flaws as essential components of human expression.
JHU’s path to this unique perspective on art traces back to his childhood. A vivid memory of his first visit to the Gwacheon National Museum of Modern Art as a young boy sparked a lifelong curiosity about artistic expression. “I remember seeing a simple painting of a sun and mountains that left a profound impact on me,” JHU recalls. Inspired, he rushed home, eager to recreate the piece but found his attempt lacking the same spark. This initial frustration, however, ignited a relentless pursuit of creativity that shaped his artistic identity.
Through adolescence, JHU's approach to art evolved from pure instinct to a deeper understanding of its communicative power. He shifted from abstract doodles to more structured designs, only to eventually circle back to pure expression during his adult years. His time studying in New York was transformative—there, he encountered a diverse range of artistic practices that reinforced his belief in art as an individual journey, one that transcends rigid definitions. This period cemented his identity as both an artist and what he calls an “active fatalist,” someone who shapes destiny while accepting its unpredictable nature.
Whimsical Chick embodies this philosophy. The titular chick, often portrayed with wandering, off-kilter pupils, represents a playful tension between order and chaos. JHU explains that he was captivated by the asymmetry of the character’s eyes, which seem to dart about as if unsure of where to focus. This visual uncertainty adds an emotional layer to the character, making it both endearing and unsettling. The addition of a simple beak completed the transformation from abstract form to recognizable chick, cementing its role as the star of the exhibition.
The artist intentionally avoids imposing strict narratives on his works. “I want viewers to interpret the pieces through their lens,” JHU notes. However, the Whimsical Chick series marks a subtle departure, giving audiences a recurring figure to anchor their imaginations. The chick, with its skewed gaze and curious demeanor, symbolizes the fragility and unpredictability of life—a theme deeply embedded in JHU’s broader artistic exploration.
JHU’s use of colors, textures, and spatial composition further amplifies his preference for controlled imbalance. In his works, the viewer encounters bright yellows clashing with muted backgrounds, dynamic brushstrokes intersecting with flat forms, and incomplete figures that suggest movement beyond the canvas. His art thrives in the spaces between completion and incompletion, where the viewer is compelled to fill in the gaps.
The exhibition also highlights JHU’s belief in spontaneity as a form of destiny. Each piece is created without a premeditated plan, allowing intuition to guide the process. “For me, the act of painting isn’t about creating something new—it’s about discovering something that already exists but remains hidden,” he explains. This approach transforms his creative process into an act of exploration, where the final image feels less like a product and more like a revelation.
Visitors to Whimsical Chick will find themselves immersed in a world where contradictions coexist harmoniously. JHU’s playful yet thought-provoking works invite viewers to reflect on the complexities of human experience—its chaos, its humor, and its beauty. The artist hopes that audiences will leave with a renewed appreciation for the imperfect and the unpredictable, seeing in his quirky chick a mirror of their journeys.
The M’cube program, known for championing experimental young artists, recognizes JHU as a bold voice in contemporary art. His refusal to conform to strict artistic categories, combined with his thoughtful yet playful approach, aligns perfectly with the program’s mission to push creative boundaries.
Whimsical Chick is more than an exhibition—it’s an invitation to reconsider the value of imperfection, spontaneity, and emotional authenticity in art. For JHU, the journey of creating is as significant as the final result, and through this exhibition, he shares that journey with viewers, encouraging them to find joy in the unexpected and the irregular.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
