Han, Un-Sung graduated from Seoul National University and Temple University who had received both grand prize at the 2nd Dong –A Fine Arts Festival, Seoul International Miniature Print Exhibition. This exhibition would be his 18th solo exhibition and he had participated in San Paulo Biennial, The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, Seoul Arts Center, Art Sonjae Museum, Gwang-ju Art Museum, Madrid National Print Museum and has participated in numerous group exhibitions and collections in National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, Seoul Museum of Art, Samsung Museum, Kumho Museum and the British Museum of Korean art section. He is currently professor at Seoul National University in Fine Arts Department.

For this exhibition, the artist will present ‘fruit collection’ the continuous series of permission, apple, tomato and pumpkin, which depicts more of realistic depths that brings along an intensive effect than of his previous works. The subject of fruit colors are composed in complement background, while by observing in glance, the artist depicts the exquisite touch of the fruit lump, but when carefully looking into the canvas ruff brush strokes could be easily captured in sight. Inside the composition in front of the massive size of fruit, the end of stalk looks as a belly button that is exposed. It is to emphasize the fruit image of living beings that are conceived through an umbilical cord. And on the bottom of canvas, Latin scientific name is written that could be easily noticed. The English context is recognized as pumpkin, but the artist marks it as Cucurbita Moschato. It is to get away from the traditional phrase of ‘still life’ and to perceive the viewpoint to observe and record for the viewers and to interact and approach the fruits with a philosophical and scientific context.

Originally the purpose of collecting is to formulate the specimen of diminished and rare items and to investigate the insects and plants but the artist selects fruits for the subject. The ‘fruit collection’ of Han, Un-Sung solely depicts the subject and approaches with an insightful perspective not only to view it as an eatable fruit but as living objects with life. In other words, vegetation is not recognized only as eatable provision but as living ones. Furthermore the artist points out the phenomenon of the distortion of the natural appearance caused by human’s imprudent genetic manipulation. The development of the genetic technologies might cause deformation of the fruits, however, Han, Un-Sung collects them sincerely awaking us critical consciousness of a living creature.

Opening reception: (Fri) Oct 8, 2010. 5-7pm