Albus Gallery, located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is hosting Seongryul’s first solo exhibition, Sunshine and the Shade, from August 9 to September 29, 2024. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore Seongryul’s distinct artistic world through his watercolors and acrylic works, focusing on spaces and moments destined to disappear.
Seongryul gained widespread recognition after his graphic novel In the Summer (2020) won the Grand Prize at the 16th Japan International Manga Award, making him the first Korean artist to achieve this honor. His work has since garnered a broad fanbase both domestically and internationally, solidifying his place in the fields of illustration and painting. Notably, he has also created album covers for popular artists like Baek Yerin and Lee Hi, further broadening his reach among the public.
Seongryul's work is primarily expressed through watercolors, characterized by their clear and transparent hues. The irregularly spread watercolor pigments and meticulous brushstrokes in his paintings evoke a sense of forgotten time and place. His landscapes seem to capture fleeting moments of everyday life, presenting scenes that navigate between sunlight and shade, distant places and familiar locales, and the boundary between reality and dreams.
The exhibition showcases over 100 pieces, including original artworks from In the Summer and newly attempted large-scale watercolors and acrylic works. In an era where digital creation driven by artificial intelligence dominates the art world, Seongryul’s dedication to the analog medium of watercolor reflects his intent to hold onto time more slowly and deliberately.
Through this exhibition, Seongryul seeks to convey the preciousness of everyday landscapes destined to disappear. He hopes that the scenes he captures offer not just a visual record but also provide spaces where viewers can infuse their own stories. In this way, his work aims for deep emotional resonance with the audience, reviving senses that may have been forgotten.
The exhibition’s title, Sunshine and the Shade, aptly reflects the duality present in Seongryul’s work. His paintings embody the coexistence of bright sunlight and cool shade, symbolizing the simultaneous presence of light and dark aspects of life. By portraying these intertwined sensations, Seongryul’s art offers viewers a fresh visual experience that invites them to explore time and space in a new way.
This exhibition promises more than just an artistic viewing experience. In Seongryul's paintings, past and present, familiarity and unfamiliarity intersect, allowing viewers to project their memories and stories into the work. This reflective experience reminds us of the value of pausing to appreciate what is fleeting in our fast-paced world.
The exhibition is open daily except for Mondays, with viewing hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is 10,000 KRW for adults and 5,000 KRW for children. This exhibition offers visitors a chance to find a cool shade amidst the scorching summer heat and engage with a special, contemplative experience.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
