Gallery MEME has unveiled its latest exhibition, “Labor of Love,” running from January 15 to March 14, 2025. This ambitious showcase brings together the works of five mid-career and established artists—Jung Jungyeob, Kim Deulnai, Noh Kyounghee, Lee Jiyoung, and Jeong Zik Seong—who reflect on the multifaceted nature of artistic labor. Through their pieces, the exhibition interrogates the relationship between creation, dedication, and the often undervalued nature of the artist’s toil.
The exhibition’s title, “Labor of Love,” speaks to the paradoxical nature of artistic work. While the phrase implies effort done for passion rather than compensation, it also highlights the societal misconceptions about art as a form of labor. This enduring narrative frames the exhibition’s exploration of art-making as both a physical and emotional endeavor, often dismissed or mystified as pure inspiration but deeply rooted in persistent effort and sacrifice.
Jung Jungyeob’s canvases serve as an eloquent commentary on the invisible yet vital contributions of women’s labor. Using red beans as her recurring motif, her works depict swirling masses of these tiny seeds, symbolizing both life and the collective strength of overlooked contributions. The process is meticulous, demanding extraordinary patience and time, much like the labor it seeks to honor. Her pieces resonate with themes of endurance and quiet resilience, drawing the viewer into a contemplative reflection on the hidden forces that sustain society.
Noh Kyounghee’s forest landscapes exude a haunting tranquility that belies the immense effort behind their creation. Her hyper-detailed paintings capture fleeting moments of connection between nature and time, evoking both the ephemeral beauty of life and the artist’s relentless dedication to capturing it. The precision of her brushwork reveals the quiet dialogue between the artist and her environment, offering glimpses of eternity within transient scenes.
Kim Deulnai’s works juxtapose the vibrancy of hearts with an undercurrent of existential melancholy. Her use of luxurious materials like chocolate and pearl imagery suggests impermanence, drawing attention to the ephemeral nature of desire and beauty. Her pieces are both dazzling and sobering, inviting viewers to reflect on the fragility of life’s joys amidst its inevitable decay.
Lee Jiyoung employs graphite to create intricate pencil drawings that capture the interconnectedness of existence. Through delicate, repetitive strokes, she builds mesmerizing compositions of wildflowers, figures, and imagined worlds. Her process underscores the harmony between individual and collective experiences, with each line contributing to a larger, cohesive narrative. The result is a visual exploration of life’s quiet rhythms and the profound depth found in the mundane.
Jeong Zik Seong brings modernity to the ancient Korean craft of mother-of-pearl inlay, integrating it into abstract compositions that convey motion and energy. His labor-intensive technique involves juxtaposing vivid mother-of-pearl against dark lacquered surfaces, evoking the dynamism of machinery and the human spirit. The process, while physically taxing, reflects his belief in the enduring value of labor as a form of connection and expression.
Collectively, the works in “Labor of Love” emphasize the transformative power of artistic labor. They reveal that creativity is not merely the result of fleeting inspiration but a process steeped in discipline, vulnerability, and the willingness to confront uncertainty. The artists’ dedication serves as a poignant reminder of art’s capacity to bridge the tangible and intangible, making the invisible visible.
This exhibition is more than an exploration of artistic techniques; it is a testament to the resilience and introspection that define the creative process. In witnessing the works of Jung, Kim, Noh, Lee, and Jeong, viewers are invited to reflect on the labor that shapes not only art but life itself.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
