Artist UnKyung Hur explored the relationship between vitality and energy through forms of geometrical structures. In her works, the fundamental order of nature has been reclaimed to the simple forms of geometric shape, and later, it conversely shows respect for life itself by revealing a desire to live with a strong motivation called self-propagation as its natural instinct in clinging to life in the extended works. Leeahn gallery Seoul is pleased to present an solo exhibition of works by UnKyung Hur, who is well known for utilizing Korean traditional lacquer and mother-of-pearl, and the exhibition is entitled . This exhibition will feature her main works including paintings, drawings and sculptures. It will also be a space where the focus will be placed on the artist’s view on the world as it is represented through themes that the artist has been immersed in such as creation and extinction, time and existence, and earnest questions and introspection about life through the relationship between living organisms, which are perceived as extremely individual existence, and the universe.
When having to understand the series of procedures in works of Hur where simplification (simplification of energy in the aspect of content) becomes actualized again, 'Cell', a panel work series includes a very important symbolism.
The artist expressed the basic units of matter, in other words, cells or atoms which are the basis, as dots and portrayed the matter through the line which connects these together. According to the artist, the concentric circle which is marked with dots embodied what is contained in living organisms or the basic unit of the substance, and the line and the form applied geometrical aspects in the interaction between the matters. The completed shapes do not result by coincidence, but receives nourishment within relationships and contains order which becomes transformed, formed, and regenerated organically. Since then, the drawing has dealt with the proliferation of teratocyte and formation of new living organisms. Here, ‘dots’, which are the remarkable elements, act as the roles of deriving new shapes and meets the previous series in the starting point. In reference to differing characteristics, compared to how the regulations displayed in the abstract image of contain temporality and give off a refined impression from within, the images that are portrayed in contain moments where images form in the point while breaking away from a refined frame or improvisation which does not cease and becomes spread irregularly.
When it comes to materials and techniques, ‘mother-of-pearl’ and ‘lacquer’ are important elements in understanding her view of art. An artist needs to consider which message should be included in the artworks and decide on how to convey the specific message. In this aspect, her work method requires a great amount of time and intensive labor, and the shapes that are created as the outcomes are compatible with the artist’s worldview by the fact that they express living organisms which experience healing and regeneration in a metaphorical manner. Mother-of-pearl, which is a piece in which the clam shell is sliced off, is a living creature that does not become deprived of its beauty and contains temporality and spatial background. Then, lacquer, a natural paint, is lacquered on top. Here, the hard efforts of the artist are displayed as she has to go through the procedures of repeated handiworks by wiping it off once it becomes dried and having to lacquer it again. The dimensional shape which becomes completed eliminates the trace of time and exists as a form of life.
Leeahn gallery Seoul will present her major works, which are attempted through various medium, to provide the pleasure of appreciating formative density, which is often neglected in contemporary art works, as well as offer a time where the meaning of life can be reflected and examined.
Courtesy of Leeahn Gallery
