Whitestone Gallery Seoul is pleased to present Else Where, the first solo exhibition in Korea by abstract expressionist artist Wu Shuang. This exhibition features more than 40 works, including newly created pieces inspired by the artist’s sensory experiences and emotions during her stay in Seoul. 

Wu Shuang explores the meaning of inner spirituality and freedom, employing an intuitive and spontaneous approach to her practice. She constructs form and composition through dynamic brushstrokes, layering colors in a way that generates a striking tension while simultaneously achieving a delicate sense of harmony across the canvas. In her earlier explorations of printmaking techniques, Wu sought to transcend the limitations of flat, monotonous two-dimensional painting by actively incorporating fluorescent, highly saturated colors. The interplay of bright tones with subtle dark undertones intensifies the impact of her works, while her ability to maintain clarity and transparency across multiple layers remains a defining characteristic of her style. 

Following the global pandemic, Wu has been dismantling spatial boundaries, incorporating new environments and emotions encountered through her travels into her art. Her time in Seoul follows this path, as she explores the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity within the city. The experience has expanded her use of color and composition, adding new dimensions to her artistic language. 

Embracing spontaneity and serendipity as fundamental elements of painting, Wu Shuang perceives the process of transforming uncertainty into possibility as the essence of art itself. Else Where extends this exploration, visually manifesting her cross-border perceptions and internal rhythms.

Else Where

The longing for freedom and the pursuit of vitality are the meaning of my life, as well as my attitude toward art. Life is limited and short, after three-year of the epidemic, I realized that I needed to change, I decided to end my ten-year-long creation and life in Beijing, and instead began to travel around the world with my backpack. Painting is a game for the brave, I regard myself as the perceiver and recorder of this world, and I truly record the world I perceive with my brushes.

Some painting styles can be designed, some cannot be designed, and my painting style belongs to the category that cannot be designed. From the face of the blank canvas to the final completion, there is no planning and arrangement, not even a sketch. Painting has no undo button, you can never go back to the previous step, every additional stroke can fail, and when to stop requires decision, but I enjoy this feeling of uncertainty, which also means Infinite possibilities. The process is led by my daily mood, sometimes passionate, sometimes quiet. The color of the paintings changes with the seasons, the time of year, how I feel that day, and it’s also influenced by my relationship to the natural world. The theme of my work also changes depending on what I focus on. After overcoming the fear of the unknown and strangeness, painting is a pleasure. The completion of each painting is a small adventure for me.

I feel I’m making something out of nothing. Inspiration is not something that can be found by deliberately looking for it; it needs to be felt with the heart. I spend a lot of time emptying myself, just like detox, so that the body and mind can be cleansed for a period to calm the heart. Only when the body and mind are empty can the soul settle in. When I was painting, the magic of color came into being. Just the application of it is so seductive. Of course, there is a lot of accumulated experience in this process. Some works were completed in one go, and some works need to be paused. I go out to feel nature or integrate into the endless crowd.

Sojourn life feels temporary, living space is without the so-called “space border”, but with many limitless possibilities. There are many different timelines, weaving a rich grid that go on into infinity, and I can literally hop from one to another, and continue to enjoy the possibilities of new challenges. After living in one place for a while, I will continue my way with a new mood, looking for another place that will inspire me differently, “Else Where” is what that means.

More than half of the works in my Seoul solo exhibition were created during my stay in Seoul. Why did I choose Seoul? Many people have asked me this question. My answer is that South Korea is a country I’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t had the chance to yet. Why not? Although I’ve been to over 40 countries, I still feel a sense of novelty and unfamiliarity towards South Korea. It is a country with a diverse cultural charm, where elements of tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Since it is a freely chosen place for creative residency, why not create in the city where I will be holding my solo exhibition? I came to Seoul with excitement and decided to create a deep connection through artistic expression to the city and country I had never been to before. Art can cross borders, and so can human feelings.

Fortunately, my sojourn in Seoul was great. I created many special pieces there, and I am especially grateful to the Korean team at Whitestone Gallery for their support and concern. My precious months in Seoul will remain unforgettable for the rest of my life. I realized that I had achieved a truly peaceful and passionate sojourn. I had a wonderful time. Here, I would like to use the works presented in this exhibition to thank this beautiful city and the art lovers and friends who have always followed me.

Text by Wu Shuang

Opening Reception
Saturday, February 15, 2025 | 3 – 6 PM

Address
70 Sowol – Ro, Yongsan – Ku, Seoul, Korea

Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Sunday | 11:00 AM – 19:00 PM

Artist
Wu Shuang

Gallery Website
www.whitestone-gallery.com

Gallery Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/whitestonegallery.official/

Contact
elena@whitestonegallery.co.jp
+82)10-3713-8393

About Artist

Born in Chongqing, China, Wu Shuang is an abstract expressionist artist renowned for her bold use of color and dynamic compositions. She studied Free Art at Kassel University in Germany in 2007, earned her BFA in Oil Painting from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2009, and obtained an MFA in Printmaking from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 2014. 

Wu fearlessly employs highly saturated colors while achieving a unique sense of harmony within her compositions. Her early works centered on humanism, emphasizing the significance of human existence, while her recent practice has expanded to explore nature, inner emotions, and the dynamism of life itself. Wu’s unique artistic vision has attracted recognition beyond the art world, leading to collaborations with the fashion industry. She has partnered with brands such as Mercedes-Benz China International Fashion Week for three consecutive years, further expanding her creative reach through various interdisciplinary projects.

(Text and images courtesy of Whitestone Gallery Seoul)