Artist Eunhwa Lee will unveil her solo exhibition 《Tell Me The Story: When Our Stories Become History》 from October 17 to 30 at Art Space J_Cube1 Gallery in Bundang, Seongnam. The exhibition, supported by the Seongnam Cultural Foundation's 2024 Art Creation Support Program for Seongnam Artists, will showcase a unique collection of psychological portraits, texts, and video works based on interviews with 20 Seongnam residents.
Eunhwa Lee’s latest work is an experimental art project that combines various media to record the lives and emotions of Seongnam citizens. The project focuses on creating psychological portraits that reinterpret each interviewee's story in abstract terms, offering a window into how personal narratives can be transformed into art. Additionally, video recordings of the interviews will also be exhibited for the first time.
Child and Mother: Zes, Mixed media on Canvas, 65.1x53cm, 2024, Courtesy of Eunhwa Lee, Art Space J
At the heart of this exhibition is the exploration of Seongnam’s identity and community through the personal stories of its residents. Eunhwa's project brings the creative process into the public domain, shifting the traditionally private act of artistic creation into a collective, community-driven endeavor. As a result, the exhibition is not just a display of art but also a form of public storytelling, archiving the lives of Seongnam’s diverse citizens.
The portraits and stories highlight individuals from various walks of life, ranging from teenagers to seniors in their 70s. These include professionals such as an announcer, a pediatrician, a poet, a chef, a former corporate executive, and even a market vendor from Moran Market. The exhibition reflects the rich tapestry of lives that make up Seongnam through these diverse narratives, transforming personal experiences into a collective memory.
On October 18, an artist talk and workshop will also be held where Eunhwa Lee will discuss her process and the stories behind her artworks, offering visitors a deeper insight into the project.
As an artist who has worked across multiple disciplines, including painting, installation, photography, and new media, Eunhwa Lee continues to push the boundaries of art. For this exhibition, she has focused on the stories of her neighbors in Seongnam, using painting, text, and video to capture the nuances of their lives.
Through this project, the artist invites viewers to witness how individual narratives form a broader historical context. The exhibition provides a platform for reflection on the interconnectedness of art, personal stories, and history.
The exhibition runs until October 30, offering a rare opportunity to engage with Seongnam’s community through the transformative lens of art.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
