Echoes in Discourses Surrounding Performance, Conceptualism, and Politics
Lehmann Maupin Gallery announced on the 17th that it has signed an exclusive contract with artist Seong Neung-kyung (79) and will exhibit his representative work 'Site 2' at Art Basel Hong Kong, held from the 21st to the 25th.
Seong Neung-kyung is an avant-garde artist who has been actively working since 1968 and has recently entered a prime period as his diverse works have gained attention. During his 55 years of activity, he has held only five solo exhibitions, and he is currently holding his sixth solo exhibition at Baek Art Gallery in Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, until April 30.
Having held five solo exhibitions over half a century, he is holding four exhibitions this year alone. In addition to the ongoing solo exhibition, he is scheduled to participate in the 'Experimental Art Group Exhibition' at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in May, and a group exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in September.
Amid the continuous exhibitions and the outpouring of public interest, he expressed his feelings at a recent press conference, saying, "They say flowers bloom on old trees... Anyway, I am grateful."
Seong Neung-kyung, who has signed an exclusive contract with the world-renowned contemporary art gallery Lehmann Maupin, is expected to expand his activities more widely on the international stage.
Seongnong-gyeong, Contraction and Expansion, 1976, Gelatin silver print, 27.2x27.8cm, (12 prints), ed.mono_6. Photo by Baek Art
Seong has pursued a message of rebellion against political and conceptualist discourse through interdisciplinary performance art. After his military service, he was active in the avant-garde art group 'ST (Space&Time)' in 1973. In 1974, at the 3rd ST Exhibition held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, he gained recognition by performing a piece where he cut out that day's newspaper articles, placing the articles in a blue acrylic box and the remaining parts in a white acrylic box.
Emma Sohn, Senior Director of Lehmann Maupin Seoul, said, "It is an honor and a privilege for Seong Neung-kyung to participate in Lehmann Maupin's program," adding, "The artist's complex objects, including performances that transcend genres and works with significant art historical meaning, have pioneered a unique realm in global performance art beyond Korea."
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