Park Han-sol reports on Korea's financial regulators, along with fintech and insurance. She previously wrote about the art world, from biennales and exhibitions to fairs and auctions, with a focus on Seoul and the figures shaping the scene. Before joining The Korea Times, she spent a year at ABC News' Seoul bureau, contributing to coverage of major Asia-Pacific events.
Exhibition showcases African artists' colorful strokes
Hendrik Lilanga's “City Festival,” which will be on display at the exhibition,” “Focus Africa” at Artspace Sun in central Seoul / Courtesy of Artspace Sun
By Park Han-sol
By Park Han-sol
Although modern and contemporary African artists continue to make waves in the present-day international art scene, their art has largely remained unknown in Korea.
As the continent's diverse tribal cultures stemming from over 50 nations and turbulent modern history of colonialism met contemporary artistic styles, this led to the birth of unique pieces ― whose points of origin were anything but uniform.
The “Focus Africa” exhibition opened on Nov. 9 at Artspace Sun in central Seoul, unveiling more than 80 paintings by three representative painters from the region ― Joel Mpah Dooh, Hendrik Lilanga and Edward Said Tingatinga. Their works, characterized by distinct use of materials and color schemes, have already gained recognition in other parts of the globe.
The exhibition will be divided into three consecutive shows, each lasting about three weeks, in order to focus on one artist's oeuvre at a time.
Joel Mpah Dooh's “Untitled” (2008) / Courtesy of Artspace Sun
Cameroonian artist Mpah Dooh has combined the European illustrative style he studied during his time in France with figures inspired by his homeland as well as urban graffiti ― which some are quick to compare to Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Some have viewed the 65-year-old's portrayal of distorted human bodies, highlighted by subtler color tones, to be a visualization of the suffering from brutal abuse of power and socio-economic crises that continue to affect post-colonial Africa.
Following Mpah Dooh's show that ends Nov. 28, Lilanga will present festive, dreamlike worlds on canvas, marked by vivid colors and rhythmic lines.
While drawing inspiration from his grandfather George Lilanga (1934-2005) ― a renowned painter and sculptor whose influence reached American graffiti artists like Keith Haring (1958-90) ― the 47-year-old Tanzanian artist has developed his own style.
His version of utopia is filled with human characters, who are either conversing, singing or dancing, while surrounded by a colorful array of traditional pots, nature and rows of houses.
Edward Said Tingatinga's “Baobab and Insects” / Courtesy of Artspace Sun
The last artist to be featured in the exhibition from Dec. 21 to Jan. 9 of next year is none other than Tingatinga (1932-1972) ― who is widely known as the founder of the eponymous style called Tingatinga Art.
Having received no formal training, the Tanzanian painter began drawing at the age of 35 with materials he scavenged from around the neighborhood; plywood from construction sites became his canvas, while bicycle paints became his go-to palette.
His subjects were animated wildlife in savannah landscapes ― many of which were inspired by the legends from his Makua tribal culture. Although Tingatinga's painting career lasted for only five years as he was fatally shot by police at the age of 40 in a case of mistaken identity, his name continues to resound throughout the Tanzanian art scene.
“While there are many rising star artists in each country in Africa, this exhibition aimed to introduce those well known for bringing together the distinct sensibilities from each region's nature and people and contemporary artistic styles,” gallery director Ko Kyu-dae told The Korea Times.