Exhibition introduction 2023

 

ENG ∣ KOR

 

It is everywhere

 

Shin Hee Won (Gallery Doll Curator)

 

 

Art always leaves something behind. It may seem tangible, yet its essence remains elusive—an outcome shaped by personal thought, becoming increasingly ambiguous over time. In the fleeting moments of reality, memories fade, leading us to reinterpret our experiences. In this ever-evolving present, contemporary art invites us to engage with it in connection to our daily lives, prompting reflection rather than mere observation.

 

Viewing art from today’s perspective, rather than through the lens of the past, is both exciting and thought-provoking. Yet, it also demands deeper contemplation, as contemporary art resists easy definition. The process of looking should go beyond passive observation, encouraging us to uncover the layers of meaning beneath the surface. The pursuit of understanding is limitless, as thoughts—both conscious and subconscious—emerge naturally, shaping the forms we perceive. Even when an image is figurative, it cannot be seen as merely what it is; rather, it carries an essence that transcends its physical representation. Today’s art exists in this realm—where forms may not be explicit, yet their presence is vividly felt.

 

The process of creating art is deeply intertwined with an artist’s everyday experiences. While the present moment may seem fleeting and transient, it is never static. The act of seeing and perceiving is in constant flux. Within the realm of existence, the artist’s vision remains inherently sensitive, as emotions and perceptions are transformed into artistic expression. Art must resonate with others—it must be relatable, yet also distinctive, inviting new narratives. At its core, the success of an artwork depends on its ability to communicate. It should evoke emotion while leaving room for imagination. Ultimately, an artwork assigns meaning to everyday life, uncovering the extraordinary within the ordinary. With this perspective, I seek to appreciate the present moment in art with a sense of curiosity and affection.

In this exhibition, artists Soonhow and Eun-Joung Cho invite us to reflect on what constitutes an artwork. Their paintings explore the nature of representation and perception, bridging the tangible with the intangible.

 

Soonhow: The Pulse of Nature in Abstract Form

Nature is at the heart of Soonhow’s work. Although nature is a familiar and ever-present subject, her paintings avoid direct representation. Instead, she captures the essence of nature—its cycles of growth and decay—through layered abstraction. Her works reflect a deep engagement with daily life, where each brushstroke embodies a moment in time. Light and shadow shift, colors deepen and blend, and the act of painting itself becomes a process of revelation.

 

For years, Soonhow has closely observed the landscapes of Jeju Island, uncovering its rhythms and transformations. Time follows a structured flow, yet the experience of living each day often reveals unexpected encounters. Some of these sensations, which defy verbal explanation, manifest in her abstract compositions. What begins as a gentle, fluid texture gradually solidifies into bold, intense color fields. The tactile quality of oil paint, with its visible textures and layers, allows viewers to imagine what lies beyond the surface.

 

Her paintings convey nature as it is experienced—remembered through the body, rather than merely seen. Much like the lingering traces of unconscious memory, her compositions hover between figuration and abstraction. Her work resonates with the mysteries of modern physics, where unseen forces shape reality. Quantum mechanics suggests that invisible waves generate energy, creating cycles of interaction and transformation. In the same way, Soonhow’s paintings embrace both macro and micro perspectives, capturing the vastness of nature and the minutiae of daily existence. Her brushstrokes translate her observations into visual form, merging material reality with artistic intuition.

 

Eun-Joung Cho: Observing the Relationship Between Objects and Space

Eun-Joung Cho’s paintings are rooted in observation. Her works feature objects, architecture, and figures, carefully composed within a landscape. Yet, rather than isolating each element, she blends them seamlessly into an interconnected scene. In her paintings, observation is not passive; it becomes a form of storytelling. The objects in her work carry symbolic weight, much like characters in a novel. They do not clash but instead merge naturally within the environment.

 

Cho’s use of color plays a key role in shaping the mood of her paintings. While her palette often leans toward deep, rich tones, the atmosphere remains dynamic. Darkness and intensity may suggest seriousness, but subtle humor emerges unexpectedly, preventing any fixed interpretation. Her compositions oscillate between vibrancy and tranquility, structured around the idea of boundaries. Her landscapes exist at the intersection of reality and imagination, suggesting that the divide between the two is not as distant as it may seem.

 

Her work also explores the concept of choice—the moments when a scene takes shape based on a decision made or left unmade. She delves into emotions that have been experienced but remain hidden, uncovering subconscious feelings and expressing them through surreal imagery. In Lake at Night, is the airplane landing or preparing for flight? Has the diver in the composition reached a state of calm, or is another journey about to begin? The ambiguity in her work mirrors the nature of human emotion—continuously evolving, overcoming anxieties, and transforming with each new encounter.

 

Art as a Dialogue Between Reality and Perception

In many ways, contemporary art is a constant negotiation of conflicts. Throughout history, politics and art have intertwined, shaping cultural narratives and redefining the meaning of objects. René Magritte’s paradoxical statement, "This is not a pipe," disrupted conventional ways of seeing, compelling artists to reconsider the act of representation. Art continues to push the boundaries of perception, prompting deeper contemplation beyond what is immediately visible.

 

As realism meets imagination, and dreams intersect with the limits of desire, contemporary painting becomes a space where reality and fantasy coexist. In an ever-changing world, how much of reality can an individual truly grasp? Art does not simply offer solutions—it also reveals tensions and questions. Even if misunderstood or overlooked in the present, art seeks to communicate, aspiring to find resonance over time.

For these artists, painting is an act of dreaming. Their work resists definitive conclusions, instead embracing fluid interpretations that shift and evolve. Rather than questioning where value lies, their paintings affirm the natural continuity of life.

 

                  

순호 Leaves spill_oil on canvas_60.6x72.7cm_2023 

조은정_밤의 호수 Lake of the Night_2023_Acrylic, Oil on canvas, 91 x 91 cm (50S)