Gallery Joeun is set to host "Impromptu, Fantasies," a dual exhibition featuring works by Kim Sang In (b. 1979) and Yoon Sang Yoon (b. 1978), from January 16 to February 15, 2025. This exhibition explores multidimensional perspectives, where both artists transcend conventional boundaries, merging spontaneity, surrealism, and romanticism into their works. By embracing an improvisational approach akin to jazz musicians, the artists craft fantastical scenes that evoke a shared dreamlike experience.
Yoon Sang Yoon, recognized for his ambidextrous painting technique, creates works that simultaneously depict dual and contrasting worlds. His paintings reflect the coexistence of opposition and harmony, symbolizing the duality of the human psyche and the layered nature of reality. By transcending the borders between the real and the surreal, the subjective and the objective, Yoon constructs a world where contradictions coexist seamlessly. His technique embodies a rhythmic, almost hypnotic energy, pulling viewers into a narrative that blends reality with illusion.
A graduate of Chu-Gye University for the Arts (2004), Yoon further refined his craft at Chelsea College of Art & Design, earning a Diploma (2007) and MA (2009). His work has been featured in major exhibitions, including Atelier Aki (2023), Artertain (2023), and Gallery Joeun (2022), as well as in group showcases such as "Time to Dance with Life and Art" at Chongkundang Art Foundation (2024) and the Yeosu International Art Festival (2024). A recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Chongkundang for the Arts (2012) and the Hoban Cultural Foundation Grand Prize (2019), Yoon continues to push the boundaries of contemporary painting. In this exhibition, 12 of his latest works, blending tangible and intangible realms, will be unveiled.
Kim Sang In, often described as a "21st-century Picasso who bewitches the clown," draws inspiration from jazz improvisation and emotional spontaneity. His works visually capture the rhythmic dynamism of jazz, where color and form interweave in a structured yet fluid manner. Deeply influenced by Cubism, Kim reinterprets objects through geometric abstraction, achieving a balance between flatness and depth. His art defies traditional classifications, establishing a dialogue between sound and image, where music and painting merge into a singular sensory experience.
Kim, a graduate of Kyung Hee University’s College of Art, began his career as an illustrator for leading magazines such as Esquire, GQ, and Arena, before transitioning into fine art. His first solo exhibition, "Keep 391 Weird" (2018) at Onground, marked the beginning of his presence in the contemporary art scene. He has since exhibited at Music Space Camerata (2022), Middleman Gallery (2023), and multiple international art fairs. His latest collection, consisting of 13 new works, will present viewers with a bold yet refined aesthetic, rooted in his signature visual language.
This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into two distinct yet complementary artistic worlds, where improvisation meets structure, and imagination intertwines with reality. Through their respective approaches, Kim Sang In and Yoon Sang Yoon challenge conventional artistic norms, inviting viewers to experience the unknown through their evocative visual narratives. "Impromptu, Fantasies" is a testament to the limitless possibilities of artistic exploration, where the boundaries between music, painting, consciousness, and dreams dissolve into a unified artistic expression.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
