The POSCO Art Museum is currently hosting a special exhibition titled “Ha Tae Im: On Compulsive Beauty,” running until December 8, 2024. This exhibition offers a comprehensive view of Ha Tae Im’s 30-year artistic journey, displaying over 50 of her paintings, including both early works and her most recent creations. Known for her bold use of color and rhythmic forms, Ha’s work promises to deliver a striking visual experience that encourages viewers to delve into the emotional depths behind her artistry.
Ha Tae Im’s art journey began in 1995 during her studies in France, a period reflected in her early works, where she captured her struggles with communication in a foreign land through visual symbols and vibrant hues. These initial pieces serve as a foundation for her distinctive use of color, marking the early stages of her evolving style.
Moving into the 2000s, Ha’s works, such as those from 2006 and 2008, demonstrate an increased emphasis on layering and removing colors in a repetitive process. This phase represents her gradual shift towards abstraction, developing her unique visual language. Her technique evolved into what she calls the “Color Band” series, which has become her iconic style over the years.
The exhibition showcases Ha’s signature Color Band series from 2014 to the present, a collection that captures the essence of her abstract language through large-scale compositions. These dynamic works feature curved patterns and non-linear abstractions, engaging viewers and encouraging them to immerse themselves in the surrounding environment.
In a unique sensory approach, the exhibition incorporates olfactory elements through a collaboration with a perfumer, allowing viewers to experience Ha’s work in a multi-sensory context. The added dimension of scent enhances the emotional and aesthetic impact of her artwork.
Through this retrospective, visitors can explore Ha Tae Im’s journey from the perspective of both visual pleasure and deeper emotional resonance. The exhibition’s focus on the hidden emotional tension within Ha’s art highlights her dedication to portraying a sense of compulsive beauty—a beauty that exists not just on the surface but is imbued with persistent, almost meditative engagement with her art.
As Ha continues to develop her artistic language, this exhibit at the POSCO Art Museum is a celebration of her commitment to color and form, drawing audiences into a rhythmic interplay of visual harmony and introspection. It is an invitation for viewers to experience the profound and complex beauty that underlies Ha Tae Im’s distinctive aesthetic.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
