Soluna Fine Art proudly presents The Korean Narrative: Layers of Korean Aesthetics, a group exhibition featuring six prominent Korean contemporary artists: Choi Young-Wook, Ha Tae-Im, Kim Duck-Yong, Kim Hyun-Sik, Kim Keun-Tai, and Woo Jong-Taek. Curated in collaboration with esteemed curator Dr. Ahn Hyun-Jung, this exhibition draws inspiration from her acclaimed book “Layers of Korean Beauty”, exploring the depth of Korean art and offers profound insights into the nation’s rich cultural tapestry. Viewers are invited to experience diverse artistic expressions that reflect timeless themes of harmony, craftsmanship, and nature, which are central to Korean aesthetics and cultural heritage.

Choi Young-Wook explores themes of memory and communication, using his paintings as vessels for both personal and universal narratives, with the Moon Jar as a central symbol that fosters silent dialogues about shared human experiences. His portrayal of the Moon Jar is characterized by an emphasis on ‘bing-ryeol,’ the delicate ice crack patterns on its surface, which symbolize the karmic relationships and encounters in life. Through his art, Choi invites viewers to embark on journeys of self-discovery, serving as reminders of our past and reflecting how we navigate and embrace life’s joys and sorrows.

Through meticulous layering techniques, Ha Tae-Im applies vibrant color bands over a foundational hue, creating dynamic compositions that contrast with the rigidity of geometric abstraction and evoke a sense of fluidity. Ha’s ongoing series, “Un Passage”, exemplifies her exploration of communication through color, as these bands interact to forge harmonious relationships and evoke emotional resonance. Ha’s art underscores the profound ability of color to convey meaning beyond words, inviting viewers into a sensory experience that deeply engages their emotions.

Inspired by the Goryeo period’s Najeon inlay techniques, Kim Duck-Yong is renowned for his sublime portrayals of nature’s beauty using mother-of-pearl and ancient wood. Incorporating the concept of “Borrowed Scenery,” a traditional East Asian design principle that integrates background landscapes into interior compositions, Kim harmoniously blends oceanic scenery with the architecture, creating interchangeable objects and subjects. Kim’s works ultimately emphasize the transcendental connection between nature and humanity—a synergistic ecology of the universe.

Kim Hyun-Sik transforms resin into vibrant, tactile works that challenge conventional definitions of painting and sculpture. Through the meticulous layering of epoxy resin, carving, and applying acrylic to create intricate flat sculptures, each of his works establishes a dynamic interplay of color and shade that invites viewers to explore a mysterious depth within the flat dimension. Kim’s works consistently delve into the themes of the seen and unseen, leading audiences to travel beyond the lines, see past the plane, and reflect on their innermost thoughts.

Employing organic earth elements, Kim Keun-Tai’s work focuses on seeking the true definition of the origin of the material. Through a meticulous process of kneading and pouring diluted stone powder onto the canvas, he tilts the surface to allow the medium to flow freely. Kim creates an interplay between control and autonomy, enabling the material to express itself and co-create the artwork. His works serve as vessels for expressing the profound relationship between humanity and nature, inviting viewers to contemplate both the visual and deeper significance of the materials.

Renowned for his contemporary approach to traditional Korean ink painting, Woo Jong-Taek creates dynamic compositions characterized by a reduced color palette and bold brush strokes. Employing a blend of ink sticks, charcoal powder, rosin, and white clay, Woo captures the essence of nature through powerful and expressive gestures in his creative process. His paintings serve as a meditation on the essence of nature and the universe, posing questions about the origins of mankind and the world, and inviting viewers to reflect on the harmony between nature and human existence.

Opening Reception
Thursday, March 20, 2025 | 4 – 8 PM

Address
Soluna Fine Art, GF, 52 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Saturday | 10 AM – 6 PM

Artist
Choi Young-Wook, Ha Tae-Im, Kim Duck-Yong, Kim Hyun-Sik, Kim Keun-Tai, and Woo Jong-Taek

Curator
Dr. Ahn Hyun-Jung

Exhibition Dates
March 20 – May 17, 2025

Website
https://www.solunafineart.com

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/solunafineart/

Contact
+852 2955 5166
bess@solunafineart.com

About the Artists

Ahn Hyun-Jung holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from Yonsei University, as well as a Master’s degree in Art History and a Ph.D. in Art Philosophy from Sungkyunkwan University. She is currently the head of the curatorial department at the Sungkyunkwan University Museum and an adjunct professor at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of Public Administration. Ahn has made regular appearances on cultural programs on major channels such as KBS, SBS, and EBS, and she has written columns for various news outlets, including the Dong-A Ilbo and the Korean Bar Association Newspaper. Her books, including The Gaze of Modernity: The Joseon Art Exhibition and Popular Art and Cultural Contents, demonstrate her extensive knowledge of the Korean art scene. Ahn has participated in numerous significant curatorial projects, including “Munjado from the Joseon Dynasty” at Hyundai Gallery. She is currently a member of the judging panel for the Haindoo Art Award, a public art advisory committee member for the Shinsegae Starfield Library, and an advisor for Art Space Seochon.

Choi Young-Wook (b. 1964 in Seoul, Korea) graduated from Hongik University in Seoul with a B.F.A. in Painting and an M.F.A. Over the past decade, Choi has devoted his efforts to mastering the moon jar as an art form. While his technique produces a strikingly lifelike effect on his subject matter, Choi’s ultimate objective is not merely to replicate the image of the porcelain vessel. His technique and style have evolved to connect East Asian tradition with the expressive methods of Western modern painting. Under Choi’s brush, the historic Joseon moon jar transcends space and time, becoming modern and relevant to us once again. Choi’s works are featured in both private collections and museums, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Art, and Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others.

Ha Tae-Im (b. 1973 in Korea) received her Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Hong-Ik University in Korea following her education in France. Ha’s series “Un Passage” explores communication through colour, illustrating the harmonious relationships that evoke emotional resonance. The dynamic colour bands of translucent colour over foundational hues created through the artist’s gestures generate a unique interplay between planes and voids, conjuring a rhythmic visual language. Ha has participated in numerous exhibitions domestically and internationally in Seoul, New York and more. Her works are in prestigious corporate and private collections, including the Seoul Museum of Art, Monaco Museum of Contemporary Art, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.

Kim Duck-Yong (b. 1961) was born in Gwangju, Korea, and received his B.F.A. and M.F.A. from the Department of Painting at Seoul National University in Korea. His artistic practice integrates both traditional and contemporary elements. Kim follows the tradition of oriental paintings by using ancient wood as his canvas, which allows the viewer to sense the warmth of nature through minor details. Kim primarily explores the contemporary mechanics of Korean society by highlighting the importance of traditional materials and painting key iconographies that echo with his heritage. His works reveal the change of time with its attribute of intergenerational transience that overarches old and new histories. With works included in important institutional collections in Korea such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, Park Soo-Keun Museum, and Gyeonggi Museum of Art, Kim has been recognized as one of the established artists among the Korean art scene. 

Kim Hyun-Sik (b. 1965) was born in Sancheong, Korea and received his BFA in painting from Hongik University in Seoul. Known for his innovative approach to monochromatic paintings, Kim repeats the process of marking resinous panel with fine parallel lines to create crests and troughs and fills the grooves with paint, creating interplay of colours on his abstract works to explore the themes of emptiness and the philosophical implications of void and nothingness. He exhibited domestically in Seoul and internationally, including London, Beijing and more. Kim also participated in over 80 group exhibitions. His works are in museums and private collections, notably National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea and K11 Collection.

Kim Keun-Tai (b. 1953) was born in Seoul, Korea and he graduated from Chung-Ang University in Seoul. Kim had his first solo exhibition in 1988, and he has since had works exhibited both at home and overseas: Germany, Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and the US. While he is often associated with the Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) movement, through deep philosophical and aesthetic research he has always sought to go beyond the conceptual limits. At a time when his contemporaries were primarily preoccupied with making figuration known as hyper-realism, the young artists’ attempt to reverse the older generation’s abstract art: Kim showed more of an affinity towards Dansaekhwa. Kim’s work has been presented in galleries and museums including Korea’s Chosun Ilbo Art Museum, Germany’s Galerie Konrad Munter and Hong Kong’s Whitestone Gallery. His works are collected by Sungkok Art Museum, PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games and KEB Hana Bank.

Woo Jong-Taek (b. 1973 in Yongin, Korea) received his B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Oriental Paintings from Chung Ang University. Woo also completed a doctorate program in Sungshin Women’s University and is currently a professor of Korean Painting in Incheon National University. Woo captures the essence of nature through powerful and expressive gestures employing a blend of ink sticks, charcoal powder, rosin, and white clay in his works. His paintings serve as a meditation on the essence of nature and the universe, posing questions about the origins of humankind and the world. Since 2005 his works have been shown in both domestic and international exhibitions, including in Hamburg, Seoul, and Daegu. Woo’s works are in institutions and corporations, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

About Soluna Fine Art

Soluna Fine Art is a gallery specializing in contemporary fine art and craft. Our mission is to revitalize multicultural aesthetics and philosophy by showcasing exquisite works by established and emerging artists with traditional values in contemporary dialogue. Works by artists represented by Soluna Fine Art can be found in private collections and institutions worldwide. Our annual program includes exhibitions, fairs, educational initiatives, and multi-disciplinary collaborations on an international level.

(Text and images courtesy of Soluna Fine Art)