Studiya Gallery, renowned for championing experimental and boundary-pushing art, presents the debut solo exhibition of young artist Sohyun Park, You Like Potato and I Like Potahto, running from November 20 to December 4. Park’s work captures the intersection of movement, identity, and the digital age, solidifying her position as one of the most promising figures in Korea’s contemporary art scene.
Born in 1999, Sohyun Park navigates her artistic practice through themes of bodily movement and rhythm, influenced heavily by her background in dance. Her paintings are characterized by their fluid lines and vibrant color palettes, which together create dynamic compositions that defy easy categorization. With a focus on capturing the tension between freedom and constraint, Park’s work delves into the body’s ability to both express and suppress emotion in a rapidly evolving digital world.
The exhibition explores the interplay of discomfort and delight, particularly within the context of modern media. By drawing from short-form video platforms like Reels, Park collects fleeting images of movement and transforms them into layered visual narratives. Her process involves reinterpreting these ephemeral gestures through drawing and painting, creating works that exist as both records of the moment and abstract meditations on form. Her art embodies a dance between structure and spontaneity, as seen in her compositions that appear simultaneously deliberate and intuitive.
One of the most striking features of Park’s work is her use of lines. Her free-flowing, gestural strokes evoke a sense of immediacy, while her layering technique imbues the paintings with depth and complexity. This combination of deliberate craftsmanship and raw expressiveness creates a visual language that is uniquely hers. Park’s mastery of vibrant, harmonious color schemes further enhances her work, drawing viewers into a sensory experience that is at once captivating and thought-provoking.
Park’s exploration of identity and presence resonates deeply with contemporary audiences. Her work reflects on how the human body is both shaped by and resistant to the forces of modern media. In a society increasingly dominated by digital interaction, Park’s art captures the fragmented and fluid nature of identity. Her paintings not only present the body as a physical entity but also as a conceptual space where personal and societal tensions intersect.
The title of the exhibition, You Like Potato and I Like Potahto, suggests a playful dialogue, mirroring the dualities present in her work. Park’s paintings often juxtapose contrasting elements—freedom and restriction, visibility and obscurity, abstraction and recognition—inviting viewers to navigate these layered narratives. The exhibition title also nods to the humor and lightness that underlie her practice, offering a counterbalance to its more introspective themes.
Sohyun Park’s debut comes at a pivotal moment in Korean contemporary art, where younger voices are increasingly redefining the landscape. Her ability to blend technical skill with conceptual depth positions her as a key figure to watch. Critics have already noted her potential to bridge the gap between traditional painting techniques and contemporary themes, making her a vital contributor to the evolving narrative of Korean art.
Studiya Gallery’s choice to host Park’s first solo exhibition aligns with its mission to amplify experimental and innovative voices in the art world. The gallery’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and pushing artistic boundaries makes it an ideal platform for Park’s work, which itself challenges conventional notions of medium and meaning.
With her free-flowing lines, radiant color palettes, and thoughtful exploration of modern identity, Sohyun Park’s You Like Potato and I Like Potahto offers a fresh and compelling perspective. As her work continues to evolve, Park is poised to become a leading voice in Korean contemporary art, her practice reflecting both the dynamism of her generation and the timeless quest for artistic expression.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
