By Ines Min
Staff reporter
For those looking to get a dose of the psychological, creative and ironic need look no further than art exhibitions. Two young artists capture the complexities of human paradox and desires within these solo exhibitions, and are not to be missed.
Kim Sung-ho brings his third solo exhibition to Seoul in a series of 20 oil paintings at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space. The works depict large-scale books stacked upon one another, interspersed with miniatures toys the artist has collected over time.
Kim portrays the duality of the human mind by juxtaposing two contrasting images: the authority of hardcover, concrete texts, with the childlike fantasies of nostalgic artifacts. The two represent a sense of rationality and sensitivity, creating a new world within the artist's own mind.
The immediate effect is one of intimacy ― piles of the artist's books and collectibles are on display without obstruction, inviting viewers into his world of imagination and aesthetics. The oversized books serve to make its audience feel youthfully small, making it even easier to be immersed in his works.
The meticulous texturing, perspective and perfectly-placed shadows pop the artist's work out of the walls and into the third dimension. ``Volume Ville-Cube,'' four canvases aligned as hanging shelves, in particular is a well-rendered piece that persuades viewers to want to reach out. Rough patches of paint comprise the sheaves of bound paper, while each wrinkle in a book's jacket shows the wear of multiple reads.
Though the majority of the piled tomes are art-related, there are some that stick out as more personal choices to the author, such as ``Pieces of April.'' The selection of miniature toys also works to bring attention to the contemporary aspect of the work from the 30-year-old: from ``Monsters, Inc.'' figurines to ``Spongebob Squarepants'' characters.
``Volume Tower'' can be seen at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space through May 30. Located a 20 minute walk from Apgujeong Station, exit 2, on subway line 3. Admission is free. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
Greed. Envy. Lust. Noah Ryu delves into the world of the seven deadly sins in his first solo exhibition at the Brain Factory, exploring the roots of desire through Oriental paints and oils.
With vivid colors and symbolism within each piece, the 27-year-old ― who is still working on his master's degree at Seoul National University ― portrays the chaos and psychoses of the human mind. Sin is something that is within all humans and thus relatable to everyone, Ryu said.
The graphic imagery is shocking in detail, but the infusion of elements into a piece offers an entire world within each subject. ``Lust'' is not merely a collage of components that represent the emotion. Certainly, the artist said strawberries and other forms were used to represent this sin but it becomes an entire contemporary world that centralizes on that feeling.
``Addiction'' shows a city skyline peeking from the background, while rolling plains littered with the distraught spot the foreground. Streaked skies, eagles in flight and a mass of other objects create a dystopian life of the concept ― evolving this sin into new realm.
``Cupiditas'' is on display at Brain Factory until May 30. The gallery is located near Gyeongbokgung Station exit 4 on subway line 3. Visit www.brainfactory.org.