“Mindscape of the 21st Century”

    Korean Contemporary Art Group Exhibition

    25th Apr -24th May 2009

    Vernissage: 6-9pm Saturday 25th April 2009

    Andrew James Art

    39 North Maoming Road, Shanghai, China

    “Mindscape of the 21st Century” focuses on the visual presentation of mind-map of artists of what Korean Contemporary Art is in the millennium. In the Western concept ‘mind’ is inner-activities happening in your brain or head but in the Eastern concept; ‘mind’ is inner activities happening both in your head and heart.

    Therefore this group exhibition is very much about what Korean artists think and feel.

    Korean art boasts over 5000 year’s history. The traditional craftsmanship and philosophy in art making are still descended to the contemporary art.

    Unlike other emerging contemporary art sectors in Asia such as Chinese, Japanese and Indian, one cannot find it easy to recognize or identify Korean contemporary art as the styles and practices are so diverse. Partially, it is due to individual characteristics of Korean people preferring secluded art making environment in pursuing uniqueness among the peer group.

    In this exhibition, the four artists, Eemyun Kang (b.1981), Hayoung Kim (b.1983), Hyuk Kwon (b.1966) and Junghyun Yoo (b.1973) represent different types of “Koreaness” in their thoughts and creation behind their art works. They all had education and experiences in different countries such as USA, Germany and the UK. All of them are from different age groups who experienced the different face of Korean society in their teens and 20s during the country’s ever fast growing economy in 80s, 90s and the new millennium. As the country’s economic status grew steeply, its social and traditional norms have also changed dramatically.

    Kang’s work is based on mythologies intermingled with her contemporary imagination which is sometimes politically pungent with vigorous brush strokes and vivid colors. Kim’s work represents the fragility and delicateness of youth, however, the inner energy that supports the artist to stand and move on. Kwon is an international traveler and has conducted several interactive projects in many countries. The idea comes from very traditional Korean motifs, but the result is visually diverse and engaging. Especially, her installation and painting works are from the year-long “Nanuda” (which means to share or divide or Chinese 8 八) project. Lastly, Yoo’s work has soothing effect as the process of her painting has a lot to do with oriental goodness of ‘patience’ and ‘modest’. The deepest essence is unavoidably the goodness of “Confucius” philosophies especially for Yoo and Kwon.

    The greatest aim of this exhibition is to share the idea and visual activities practiced by young Korean artistic thinkers to the citizen of Shanghai and other international communities.

    Curator: Heejin No (Bright Treasure Art Projects, London)

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