Seojeong Art Center Ulsan Branch Hosts Special Exhibition, 'Osaek Dongsim' Exhibition

Since the 20th (Wednesday), Seojeong Art Center has been presenting the planned exhibition “Osaek Dongsim” at its Ulsan branch. The first planned exhibition of the first half of 2021, “Osaek Dongsim,” is an exhibition prepared to allow viewers to appreciate works by representative Korean modern and contemporary artists such as Kim Whanki, Park Rae-hyun, Park Saeng-gwang, Lee Ufan, along with contemporary artist Lee Chun-hwan, who continues the lineage of abstract painting.

This exhibition is noteworthy in that it showcases various techniques in one place, ranging from monochromatic paintings representing the trends of Korean art in the 1970s, to Jinchae paintings made with traditional Korean colors, and ink wash paintings utilizing the gradations of ink. Lee Dae-hee, CEO of Seojeong Art Center, explained the purpose of the exhibition, saying, “We wanted to create a time to trace the footsteps of the masters of Korean art and explore the characteristics of traditional painting to find the foundation of modern and contemporary art.”

A representative work featured in the “Osaek Dongsim” exhibition is Kim Whanki’s (1958), a first-generation Korean abstract artist. , which highlights Kim Whanki’s unique lyrical color sense, reflects his artistic perspective of seeking traditional Korean motifs up to the stage of abstraction. Lee Ufan’s (2008) and (1978), which contributed to creating Korean modernism through minimal brushstrokes using dotting and line drawing, are also considered major works in the exhibition.

Additionally, works by Park Rae-hyun, a female artist representing the Korean modern art scene, can be seen. (1970-73), created through copperplate etching, is characterized by its precise depiction and delicate brushwork. Furthermore, Park Saeng-gwang, known as the “master of Jinchae painting,” presents (1980) and (1979), works that combine folk painting and shamanistic themes, embodying a unique artistic style.

Lee Chun-hwan’s ink wash painting (2005) depicts natural landscapes using only the gradations of ink. Actively working in Korea, Lee Chun-hwan is currently focusing on abstract painting through his “Light+Texture” series, but his early ink wash works such as (1989), which began with figurative elements, show his journey toward complete abstraction.

The exhibition title “Osaek Dongsim,” meaning “Artists of Different Colors Move the Heart,” aims to convey that the works of Korean painters, grouped under the name of masters, continue the lineage of Korean tradition through diverse methods and techniques. The exhibition runs at the Seojeong Art Center Ulsan branch until the 22nd of next month.

Meanwhile, Seojeong Art Center is currently holding the “2020 Second Half Seojeong Art Center Artist Competition Winner Hong Ji-young Solo Exhibition” at its main branch located in Sangam-dong, Seoul. In addition, since last October at Eulji Twin Tower, through the “BC Card X Seojeong Art Center: Young Artist Exhibition Project ‘Breath, Pause’” exhibition, Seojeong Art Center has been implementing project exhibitions to discover and support emerging domestic artists.