[Gallery Walk] 'Three-Dimensional Painting' of Visual Rhythm Connecting Artwork and Space

Noh Hwarang and Artist Group Itteun Joint Exhibition 'inter-'
Visual Art Group Based on Collaboration Between Hong Jungwook and Kim Hyojung
Working Through Visual Communication Without Verbal Interaction

While aiming for thorough collaboration, the joint work of the two artists follows circumstances and chance. The artist duo itt-eun, who creates visual rhythm through the harmony of three-dimensional and two-dimensional elements, shares with the audience their exploration and philosophy based on the 'space in-between' during the process of seeking and practicing art.

inter-, 130 x 107 x 26cm, acrylic color on canvas and acrylic color, pine-wood cylinder, satin-acrylic panel, wire, wire-clothing and wood ball on birch structure, 2024
Photo by Noh Gallery

Noh Gallery (CEO Noh Se-hwan) in Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, is hosting the planned exhibition 'inter-' by the artist group ‘itt-eun’ until September 14. This exhibition is the third by ‘itt-eun’, showcasing 18 new works.

‘itt-eun’ is a visual art group based on the collaboration between artist Hong Jung-wook, who works with installations, and artist Kim Hyo-jung, who works with two-dimensional pieces. Pursuing intuitive and sensory aesthetics over conceptual and discursive understanding in visual arts, they have been working together on projects since 2015.

The group name ‘itt-eun’ originates from the Korean word ‘itda’, meaning ‘to connect’, reflecting the artists’ philosophy of ‘continuity’?the connection between Kim Hyo-jung and Hong Jung-wook, between space and artwork, and between artwork and audience.

inter-, 112 x 128 x 11cm, acrylic color on canvas and acrylic color, pine-wood cylinder, wire, wire-clothing and wood ball on birch structure, 2024
Photo by Noh Gallery

The exhibition title 'inter-', meaning ‘between’, reflects the working method and experimental spirit of the two artists’ collaboration in realizing visual art.

Their collaboration proceeds solely through ‘visual observation’ without any ‘verbal communication’. Hong Jung-wook’s structures are added to Kim Hyo-jung’s paintings, or vice versa. Without any explanation, each adds their own color or three-dimensional elements to the other’s form, completing a single artwork. Sometimes the form is immediately inspired by the other’s work, but sometimes inspiration strikes after days, weeks, or even months.

Despite this, they do not interfere with each other’s work to respect each other’s worlds and to maximize individual visual expression. Although it is a one-sided communication where the other’s intention is unknown, based on trust and confidence in each other’s time and insight, they maintain distance and expand their work by drawing inspiration from unpredictable elements.

inter-, dimensions variable, acrylic color on wood balls and wire and wire-clothing, 2024
Photo by Noh Gallery

Through this unique collaboration, ‘itt-eun’’s works break free from the conventional canvas frame. Based on a structurally expanded framework, basic geometric elements such as points, lines, and planes are intersectingly arranged and extend sensitively beyond the frame. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements correspond to each other, composing a new aesthetic form.

Especially, the mobiles newly introduced in this exhibition feature objects hanging from slender lines, each balancing to allow simultaneous experience of spatial and temporal elements. Following the wires and wood balls of the works with the eyes, one can discover the delicate details unique to ‘itt-eun’ within the subtle visual movements created by the interplay of three-dimensional and two-dimensional forms.

Artist Hong Jung-wook emphasizes the connectivity between environment (situation) and artwork, stating, "The full stop for a work is not the studio but the space where it is staged." This reflects the harmony with shadows cast on the exhibition space walls, the spatial distance between works, and the interaction changing through communication between the artwork and the audience.

‘itt-eun’ continuously explores the essence of visual art to visualize it and aims to communicate with the audience solely through visualized aesthetics. Through new works, the audience experiences a connection with ‘itt-eun’’s sculptural language.

Artist group 'Iteun' posed for a photo. Artist Hong Jung-wook (left) carrying his son Eden on his shoulders, and artist Kim Hyo-jung.

Q&A with the Artist (Hong Jung-wook)

Q. What kind of group is ‘itt-eun’?


A. It is an artist group that creates visual rhythm through the harmony of three-dimensional and two-dimensional elements. It is a visual art group based on the collaboration between installation artist Hong Jung-wook and two-dimensional artist Kim Hyo-jung. We pursue intuitive and sensory aesthetics over conceptual and discursive understanding.

Q. How do the two artists collaborate during the creation process?

A. Kim Hyo-jung and I do not discuss the works at all. Almost all the canvas work inside the artwork is done by Kim Hyo-jung. I weave the canvases myself and deliver them. During the process, I just say, “Do as you wish,” without any advice or restrictions. After Kim Hyo-jung finishes her work, I create frames or attach structures that suit the piece to complete a single artwork. Kim Hyo-jung has said that her works have never been completed as she initially expected, but something far more interesting always emerges. In fact, more important than conversation or consultation is ‘trust’ and ‘respect’ for each other.

Q. How did you come up with the group name ‘itt-eun’?

A. ‘itt-eun’ comes from the word ‘itda’, meaning ‘to connect’. It reflects our philosophy of connection?between artists, between space and artwork, and between artwork and audience. Also, on a personal note, it was partly inspired by my son’s name, ‘Eden’.

Q. How did ‘itt-eun’ start, and will you continue it alongside your individual activities?

A. Kim Hyo-jung and I both hold solo exhibitions, but after getting married, having a child, and experiencing COVID-19, we felt an increasing sense of connection. Kim Hyo-jung is my closest friend and partner. While talking with her, I said, “I don’t do two-person exhibitions. They’re not fun. But what if we create a project together?” That’s how it started. We had already done a project called ‘inter-’ together in Norway in 2015, which laid the foundation for forming ‘itt-eun’ after COVID-19.

While pursuing individual activities, we want to continue ‘itt-eun’ in a relay format, respecting each other’s aesthetics. The ‘itt-eun’ project is a project exploring forms perceivable solely through vision, discarding concrete shapes and narratives to experiment with and complete relationships of form.

Q. Many people don’t know that the two artists of ‘itt-eun’ are a married couple. Why did you choose not to emphasize this?

A. We were cautious about the prejudice of being labeled a ‘married artist duo’. Usually, ‘married artist duo’ exhibitions show each artist’s works separately. However, ‘itt-eun’ is an artist group that creates a highly complete single artwork without touching each other’s work, so we wanted to reduce any ‘preconceptions’. Also, we strongly wished for the audience to appreciate the works themselves rather than the artists’ backgrounds or personal lives.

Q. What are your hopes for the future?

A. It would be wonderful if my son Eden grows up and the three of us could do the ‘itt-eun’ project together (laughs).